Entertainment · Strictly Come Dancing season 23
Strictly Christmas special 2026 to feature six returning celebrity couples
The BBC has confirmed this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will have six couples, all celebrities from past series. The Daily Express, citing a Sun insider, names possible contestants and links the change to backlash over a triple dance-off.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 1The BBC has confirmed that the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will return in December with six couples competing for the title, according to Radio Times. Radio TimesN “The BBC has confirmed that the yuletide special will be making a return in December and will see six couples battle it out under the glitter ball to be crowned the champion.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Mixed · 2For the first time in seven years, all the celebrities taking part will be returning stars of past series. Radio TimesN “for the first time in seven years, all of the celebrity contestants taking part will be returning stars of Strictly past.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Daily ExpressR “It’s been seven years since they last did this on the festive episode” Read at Daily Express ↗ Centre · 1Each couple will perform a new festive-themed routine and join opening and closing group numbers; Radio Times says the contestants and their professional partners will be confirmed in due course. Radio TimesN “The dancing duos will each perform a brand new festive-themed routine, as well as taking part in opening and closing group numbers.”“The contestants and their professional partners will be confirmed in due course.” Read at Radio Times ↗
Mixed · 2Both outlets link the idea to the alumni dance at last year's Blackpool special, in which Ashley Roberts, Danny Mac, Jay McGuiness and Layton Williams revisited famous routines. Radio Times says it understands that response inspired the team; the Express cites an insider saying the same. Radio TimesN “Radio Times understands that the Strictly team were inspired to make this year's show a returning celebs special by the response to last year's 'alumni' dance in Blackpool.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Daily ExpressR “producers have reflected on the positive reception from the special alumni dance at last year's Blackpool week and want to bring it back.” Read at Daily Express ↗ Right · 1The Daily Express, relaying an insider quoted by The Sun, reports that producers are casting six former stars and that Denise Van Outen, Georgia May Foote and Maisie Smith are among names on a wish list; this is unconfirmed and described as what 'could' happen. Daily ExpressR “Loads of names are in their sights, with Denise Van Outen, Georgia May Foote and Maisie Smith all big names who could feature on the bookers’ Christmas wish lists.” Read at Daily Express ↗ Right · 1The same source says the show will be filmed in December and shown on Christmas Day, and that the winner will receive the Christmas star trophy. Daily ExpressR “It’s going to be a mammoth show, which is going to be filmed in December before being shown on Christmas Day,” Read at Daily Express ↗
Mixed · 2Radio Times notes returning celebrities also featured in Christmas specials from 2004 to 2009 and 2014 to 2019; the Express recalls that Debbie McGee and Kevin Clifton won the 2019 edition with a Quickstep to Jingle Bells. Radio TimesN “it happening from 2004 to 2009 and then from 2014 to 2019” Read at Radio Times ↗ Daily ExpressR “Debbie McGee and her professional partner Kevin Clifton were crowned the Christmas champions after dancing a Quickstep to Jingle Bells.” Read at Daily Express ↗ Centre · 1The news follows the current series' first triple dance-off, in which Lawrence Robb and Jowita Przystał were sent home after landing in the bottom three with Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu, and Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu. Radio TimesN “In the bottom three were Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu, Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu and Lawrence Robb and Jowita Przystał, with the latter pair not saved by the judges and therefore sent home.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Right · 1The Express frames the Christmas change as coming after viewer backlash to that triple dance-off, quoting social media posts questioning its point; Radio Times does not mention any backlash. Daily ExpressR “This potential shake-up comes after Strictly was inundated with backlash following a major format change during Halloween”“I mean, what is the point of this three-person dance-off???” Read at Daily Express ↗
Centre · 1Strictly continues on Saturday 7 November at 6:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer. Radio TimesN “Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 7 November at 6:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.” Read at Radio Times ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Straightforward announcement piece: the BBC has confirmed a returning-celebrities Christmas special, with weekly results recap attached.
- Emphasis
- Confirmed format (six couples, all past contestants), history of similar specials, and the Blackpool alumni dance as inspiration.
- Leaves out or plays down
- No named possible contestants, broadcast date or mention of viewer backlash over the triple dance-off.
- Charged language
- “festive shake-up”
- For example
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“The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special is getting a festive shake-up this year!” — Radio Times
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Tabloid-style story built on an unnamed insider via The Sun, tying the Christmas change to viewer backlash over the triple dance-off.
- Emphasis
- Speculative names (Denise Van Outen, Georgia May Foote, Maisie Smith), Christmas Day airing, and angry social media reactions.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not report the BBC's confirmation of the six-couple format; presents the plans as reported rather than confirmed.
- Charged language
- “huge shake-up”“backlash”“furious reactions”
- For example
-
“Strictly Come Dancing set for huge shake-up after viewer backlash” — Daily Express
“According to insiders, producers have reflected on the positive reception” — Daily Express
What every side reports
- The Christmas special will feature six couples with returning celebrities from past series.
- It is the first such all-returning line-up in seven years.
- Each couple will perform a new festive routine plus opening and closing group numbers.
- Last year's Blackpool alumni dance is cited as the inspiration.
Where accounts differ
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Why the format is changing and how firm the details are
- Centre
- The BBC has confirmed the special; Radio Times understands it was inspired by the Blackpool alumni dance, and names are yet to be announced.
- Right
- Reported by insiders; framed as following viewer backlash to the triple dance-off, with possible names and a Christmas Day airing not confirmed.
Strictly Come Dancing event
Per Radio Times, the BBC confirmed the special with six returning couples and says contestants will be announced later; per the Express's insider, producers are casting and want to repeat the Blackpool success.
“The contestants and their professional partners will be confirmed in due course.” — Radio Times
“They’re currently casting for six previous stars to return to the dancefloor.” — Daily Express
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Christmas special confirmed for format shake-up with returning favourites
Celebratory Upbeat confirmation of the BBC's returning-celebrity Christmas special, with background and a results recap.
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Right1 article
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Strictly Come Dancing set for huge shake-up after viewer backlash
Mixed Insider-sourced report linking the Christmas plans to viewer backlash over the triple dance-off.
- 2 Nov 11:12 First Radio TimesN Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Christmas special confirmed for format shake-up with returning favourites
- 2 Nov 16:23 +5h 11m Digital SpyN Strictly confirms throwback-inspired format shakeup for 2026's Christmas special – here's the details
- 2 Nov 19:42 +8h 30m Daily ExpressR Strictly Come Dancing set for huge shake-up after viewer backlash
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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