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Strictly Come Dancing is gearing up for its most glittering Christmas special yet, as two more stars have now been confirmed for the festive edition, and fans are already buzzing with excitement. EastEnders favourite Nicholas Bailey, best known for playing Anthony Trueman on the iconic BBC soap, has officially signed up to don the sequins and take to the ballroom floor this Christmas.
The actor, who became a familiar face to millions during his time on Albert Square, will swap the drama of Walford for sparkles, snowflakes, and a sprinkling of Strictly magic. The Christmas special, a long-standing festive tradition, is one of the most-watched episodes of the year, and Bailey’s casting has already delighted soap fans who haven’t seen him on their screens in some time.
His signing comes hot on the heels of the announcement that rugby star Jodie Ounsley, better known to many as Fury from the hit BBC revival of Gladiators, will also be stepping into the spotlight. Ounsley is known for her powerhouse athleticism and fearless energy, making her one of the most intriguing additions to this year’s lineup.
Speaking about her excitement, Jodie said:
“I’m absolutely buzzing to be doing the Strictly Christmas special. Being the first female rugby player means a lot to me too. I honestly can’t wait to get stuck in, I’m used to smashing into people so this is definitely going to be a challenge!”
Her humour, competitive spirit, and athletic background have already made her a fan favourite in the short time since Gladiators returned to TV screens, and seeing her trade the arena for the ballroom is sure to attract a whole new wave of viewers.
Meanwhile, Nicholas Bailey brings charm, experience, and a strong connection to a loyal soap audience. His inclusion signals Strictly’s intent to create a festive show filled with nostalgia, personality, and warmth, the perfect recipe for Christmas Day entertainment.
The Strictly Christmas special traditionally features six celebrity contestants, each paired with a professional dancer, performing a single festive-inspired routine in a bid to win the strictly-coveted Christmas Glitterball trophy. The episode is pre-recorded ahead of its Christmas broadcast, meaning speculation about costumes, themes, music choices, and partnerships will ramp up over the coming weeks.
Strictly bosses are yet to reveal which professional dancers Bailey and Ounsley will be paired with, but anticipation is already building online. Fans took to social media to share their excitement, praising the variety of personalities joining this year’s line-up, blending acting, sport, entertainment, and a festive serving of feel-good fun.
This year’s Strictly series has been another ratings hit for the BBC, and the Christmas special remains a highlight of the schedule, offering a standalone hour of glittering escapism at a time when families all over the UK gather for the festive season. Each edition is packed with seasonal sparkle, elaborate costumes, extravagant staging, and heartwarming stories, everything Strictly audiences love.
With more celebrity names expected to be announced soon, this year’s Christmas special is shaping up to be one of the most memorable yet. For now, fans can look forward to seeing Nicholas Bailey return to screens in a whole new light, and Jodie Ounsley stepping into unfamiliar, but undoubtedly exciting, territory.
Meet the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special Celebrity
“Strictly has always held a special place in my heart, so being part of the Christmas Special feels truly magical. It’s the show that brings everyone together around the TV, and being part of that is a genuine personal and career highlight. I’m sure it’ll also introduce me to a few muscles I didn’t know I had. I can’t wait to live my best life on that dancefloor” (Scarlett Moffatt) – Credit: BBC
“If you can't have a dance at Christmas, when can you?! I'm so excited to meet Kai and start training to make this a dance to remember” (Melanie Blatt) - Credit: BBC
“I’m absolutely buzzing to be doing the Strictly Christmas Special. Being the first female rugby player means a lot to me too. I honestly can’t wait to get stuck in, I’m used to smashing into people so this is definitely going to be a challenge!” (Jodie Ounsley) - Credit: BBC
“I'm really excited to be doing this, almost as excited as my wife and daughters are! Hopefully I’ll do them, Albert Square and Luba proud. Bring on the dancefloor” (Nicholas Bailey) - Credit: BBC
“I used to do a little dancing when I was in college. I used to do Street Locking and Break Dancing, but then I found comedy and pursued that instead. At 39 I’ve accepted that a good two-step is all I need to get by at any function, but I know that won't be enough for Strictly! Let's hope the old moves come back to me in time for Christmas (Babatunde Aléshé) - Credit: BBC
