Tinsel is barely off the shelves, and already the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special is threatening to steal Santa’s thunder. In a reveal that’s got the nation frantically wrapping presents early and practicing their cha-cha’s in the kitchen, the full 2025 line-up has been unveiled – a sparkling sextet of celebs ready to jive through the holly jolly under the Glitterball’s glow. Topping the bill? None other than Melanie Blatt, the ’90s pop siren from All Saints, whose husky vocals once had us all chanting “Never Ever” while shimmying to the charts. At 50, the queen of pure pop cool is trading mic stands for mistletoe, promising a routine that’ll have us Pure Shores-ing through the sofa cushions. But with this being Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s tear-jerking finale after 21 and 11 years respectively, is this special less a ho-ho-ho and more a heartfelt goodbye? As the couples lace up for Christmas Day, one thing’s clear: the dancefloor’s about to get deliciously daft – and devastatingly poignant.

The announcement, dropped in a flurry of BBC press releases and It Takes Two teases last week, feels like the ultimate stocking stuffer for Strictly superfans. Airing on BBC One and iPlayer on December 25 (filmed pre-series finale on December 20, naturally), the 90-minute extravaganza whisks six fresh-faced festive frolickers into Elstree’s winter wonderland. Expect group numbers to “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” live carols from the pros, and enough fake snow to bury a reindeer. Head Judge Shirley Ballas, flanked by Craig Revel Horwood’s acerbic asides, Motsi Mabuse’s infectious grins, and Anton du Beke’s twinkly nostalgia, will sprinkle scores like fairy dust – or coal lumps for the truly tone-deaf. Then, it’s over to the studio crowd for the vote, crowning one couple the Strictly Christmas Champion with a trophy that screams “festive fabulous.”

Leading the pack in sheer nostalgia overload is Melanie Blatt, the ’90s icon whose All Saints heyday – five UK No.1s, two BRITs, and 10 million albums sold – made girl power feel effortlessly edgy. Fresh off reminiscing in BBC’s Girlbands Forever doc (where she spilled on the band’s in-fighting and breakthrough battles), Mel’s no stranger to the spotlight. But Strictly? “If you can’t have a dance at Christmas, when can you?!” she quipped in her reveal, eyes alight with mischief. Paired with the flame-haired Kai Widdrington – fresh from main-series heartthrob duties – expect a sultry salsa to “Under the Mistletoe” or a cheeky jive nodding to “Bootylicious” beats. “Strictly’s always held a special place in my heart,” Mel confessed. “It’s the show that brings everyone together – and it’ll introduce me to muscles I didn’t know I had.” At 50, she’s the cool auntie we all need, blending ’90s swagger with seasonal sparkle. Fans are already frothing: could this be the comeback that launches a full-series strut in 2026?

But Mel’s not shimmying solo in the sentiment department. This special’s emotional core pulses with the hosts’ farewell. Tess and Claudia, the unbreakable duo who’ve bantered through scandals, pandemics, and enough wardrobe malfunctions to stock a haberdashery, bow out here after steering the ship since 2004 and 2014. Their last live hurrah? The December 20 series final. Christmas marks the mic-drop, a misty-eyed montage of memories amid the mince pies. “It’s bittersweet,” Claudia hinted on It Takes Two, fringe flouncing. “We’ve loved every twirl – but handing the reins to Rylan and Vernon? It’ll sparkle anew.” Insiders whisper the special’s scripted with nods to their legacy: a group routine where Tess and Claud lead the pros in a “farewell foxtrot,” complete with heartfelt voiceovers from past winners like Kelvin Fletcher and HRVY. Will Craig choke up? Will Shirley decree it “perfection”? Pass the tissues – this isn’t just dancing; it’s dynasty.

Rounding out the revelry is a line-up as eclectic as a cracker pull: TV darling Scarlett Moffatt kicks off the chaos, the Gogglebox breakout who snagged I’m a Celeb in 2016 now trading jungle crowns for dancefloor dazzle. At 34, the podcaster (Scarlett Moffatt Wants to Believe) and doc-maker (Britain’s Tourette’s Mystery) is no newbie to the groove – she competed in ballroom as a kid, once calling a full Strictly run “unfair” due to her edge. Paired with heartthrob Vito Coppola (last year’s finalist with Ellie Leach), Scarlett’s buzzing: “This feels truly magical – a personal highlight that’ll have me living my best life on that floor.” Expect her to channel Geordie grit into a festive foxtrot, perhaps probing UFOs mid-twirl for that signature quirk.

Then there’s Jodie Ounsley, aka “Fury” from the rebooted Gladiators – the 24-year-old rugby ace turned TV titan, who’s the first female rugby player in the special’s history. Fresh from smashing opponents (and stereotypes) on the 2024 revival, Jodie’s tackling technique with a tango: “I’m used to smashing into people – this’ll be a challenge, but I’m buzzing!” Partnered with the suave Pablo Di Falco, her athleticism could catapult her to champion – stamina for days, if she nails the finesse. “Being the first means a lot,” she added. In a series craving diversity, Fury’s the firecracker we need.

Soap fans, rejoice: Nicholas Bailey, the EastEnders stalwart who’s been Dr. Anthony Trueman since 1998 (with a 20-year hiatus), swaps Albert Square for the ballroom at 53. Back full-time this year after guest stints, Nick’s channeling Walford warmth into a waltz with Luba Mushtuk. “Hopefully I’ll do Albert Square and Luba proud,” he beamed. “Bring on the dancefloor!” Picture him shimmying past the Queen Vic ghosts – a festive EastEnders special in all but name.

Noel Fielding’s the wildcard whimsy, the 50-year-old Great British Bake Off co-host and Mighty Boosh alum whose eccentric charm has baffled (and beguiled) since 2008. A onetime street locker and breakdancer turned comic king, Noel’s admitting defeat: “At 39, I’ve accepted a good two-step’s all I need – but that won’t cut it for Strictly!” (Math fans, note: he turned 50 in May.) With Dianne Buswell’s guidance, expect psychedelic paso-dobles laced with his signature surrealism – perhaps a routine featuring “vegan reindeer” and existential japes. “Let’s hope the old moves come back,” he deadpanned. In a special heavy on heart, Noel’s the hilarious heartbeat.

Rounding off the roster is Brian McFadden, the Westlife crooner whose boyband ballads (Flying Without Wings, anyone?) still soundtrack our saddest singalongs. At 45, the Irish charmer – post-band, a solo soapie on Neighbours and Celebrity Big Brother survivor – is “delighted” for the dance: “We’re big Strictly fans in our house – this’ll make Christmas magical.” Paired with rising star Michelle Tsiakkas, Brian’s belting a ballroom rendition of “You Raise Me Up,” all velvet vocals and vulnerable lifts. As the sixth and final reveal on It Takes Two, his slot sealed the “festive fuelled” frenzy.

This motley crew – from ’90s divas to gladiator gals, soap docs to surreal comics – embodies Strictly’s magic: ordinary extraordinaries twirling into icons. Produced by BBC Studios’ Sarah James, with executive flair from Kalpna Patel-Knight, it’s a “winter wonderland” antidote to turkey comas. But amid the joy, the Daly-Winkleman denouement looms large. As Rylan Clark and Vernon Kay prep their 2026 takeover (with rehearsals teasing “remixed magic”), this special’s a bridge: honoring the old while heralding the new. Early odds? Mel Blatt’s tipped at 3/1 for her cool factor, Jodie’s 4/1 on athletic promise, Scarlett a sneaky 5/1. Brian’s the sentimental 6/1 pick – Westlife tears flow easy.

Will it top last year’s Tayce triumph? With this line-up’s blend of nostalgia, nerve, and naughtiness, it’s primed to. As Melanie might croon, it’s “pure shores” of sparkle. Tune in, mince pie in hand – Strictly’s serving Christmas with a side of sobs. Ho-ho-hold onto your hats.