Strictly Christmas celebrities revealed

Strictly Come Dancing have revealed their Christmas day star line up with six celebrities fresh to the dance floor while some old favorites return. This year’s celebrities include football star Fabrice Muamba, actress Sheila Hancock, JLS’s Jonathan “JB” Gill, entertainer Bobby Ball, comedienne Katy Brand and TV presenter Helen Skelton. As well as the six new celebrities, this year will see The Strictly Allstars – nine contestants from previous series welcomed back, who will trip the light fantastic in a group routine of their own.
Making up the Allstars, Rachel Stevens, Chelsee Healey, Natasha Kaplinsky, Kelly Brook, Chris Hollins, Tom Chambers and Colin Jackson will all return to the dancefloor to show that they’ve still got what it takes, with a special guest appearance from favourites Ann Widdecombe and Russell Grant.
To cap the line-up, Rod Stewart will be bringing some festive cheer as he stops in to perform Let It Snow.
The new and returning celebrities will be partnered by the Strictly professional dancers as follows:

  • Bobby Ball –  Katya Virshilas
  • Katy Brand – Anton du Beke
  • JB Gill – Ola Jordan
  • Sheila Hancock – Ian Waite
  • Fabrice Muamba – Aliona Vilani
  • Helen Skelton – Artem Chigvintsev
  • Kelly Brook – Brendan Cole
  • Tom Chambers – Kristina Rihanoff
  • Chelsee Healey – Pasha Kovalev
  • Chris Hollins – Ola Jordan
  • Colin Jackson – Erin Boag
  • Natasha Kaplinsky – Ian Waite
  • Rachel Stevens – Vincent Simone

As usual, Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly will host, the judges Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli be on hand to critique, and it’s the studio audience who’ll decide who takes home the title of Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Champions 2012.
The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will air on Christmas Day on BBC One and BBC One HD.