Strictly Christmas Special 2025 – Winner, Cast, Hosts Guide

Scarlett Moffatt has claimed the Glitterball trophy in the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Christmas special, bringing the festive competition to a close on Christmas Day. The television presenter partnered with professional dancer Vito Coppola to win the one-off celebration, which aired on BBC One.

The 25 December broadcast marked a significant moment for the long-running franchise, serving as the final on-screen appearance for co-hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Six celebrities participated in the seasonal event, performing specially choreographed routines for the judges and viewers.

According to Wikipedia’s comprehensive list of specials, this edition followed the established format of pairing famous faces with professional dancers for a single, celebratory episode distinct from the main autumn series.

When and Where to Watch Strictly Christmas Special 2025

• Historic farewell: The special marked Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s final Strictly appearance together
• Six contenders: Half a dozen celebrities competed for the festive Glitterball trophy
• Musical entertainment: Blue performed “One Love” during the broadcast
• Judging consistency: The panel awarded scores out of 40 across four categories
• Late November reveals: The celebrity lineup was confirmed between 21 and 26 November 2025
• Primetime scheduling: The programme aired during BBC One’s Christmas Day evening slot

Confirmed Celebrities and Partners for Strictly Christmas Special 2025

The Victorious Partnership

Scarlett Moffatt, aged 35, entered the competition with prior television experience including Gogglebox and I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! She praised the show’s family appeal upon announcement. Professional dancer Vito Coppola partnered her to victory, though specific details of their winning routine remain unspecified in available records.

Pop Royalty and Acting Talent

Brian McFadden, the former Westlife vocalist, joined Michelle Tsiakkas for a Jive performance set to “Run Rudolph Run”, earning 39 points. Nicholas Bailey, known for EastEnders, partnered with Luba Mushtuk for a Viennese Waltz to “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, matching McFadden’s score of 39.

Sports Stars and Comedic Talent

Jodie Ounsley, the 24-year-old rugby player and Gladiators star, brought athletic prowess to her Street/Commercial routine with Neil Jones, scoring 37 for “Red Christmas”. Babatunde Aléshé, aged 39 and recognised from Taskmaster, performed a Charleston with Nancy Xu to “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town”, receiving 35 points.

Girl Power Representation

Melanie Blatt, 50, formerly of All Saints, emphasised the festive nature of dancing when joining the lineup. She and Kai Widdrington performed a Theatre/Jazz routine to “Santa Baby”, achieving 36 points. Cosmopolitan reported on Blatt’s enthusiasm for the seasonal challenge.

Hosts, Judges, and Format

The 2025 festive special carried additional poignancy as it represented the final Strictly broadcast for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as co-hosts. Radio Times confirmed this marked their departure from the franchise after years of fronting both the main series and seasonal specials.

Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas, and Anton Du Beke returned to the judging desk. Each couple received individual scores from the quartet, which were combined to create a total out of 40.

The Christmas special operates outside the main series timeline. Celebrities learn a single dance rather than progressing through multiple weeks. The format combines judges’ scores with public voting to determine the winner.

Historical Context

The tradition of Christmas specials dates back several years, with recent winners including Jamie Borthwick and Nancy Xu in 2023, and Tayce with Kai Widdrington in 2022 following a partner switch. Wikipedia chronicles the full history of these seasonal competitions.

The 2025 Christmas cast operated separately from the main autumn series, which featured different celebrities such as Amber Davies and Balvinder Sopal. Radio Times clarified this separation between the seasonal one-off and the regular competition series.

Timeline: Key Dates for Strictly Christmas Special 2025

1. 21 November 2025: Initial celebrity announcements began during Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two
2. 26 November 2025: Full lineup of six competing celebrities confirmed
3. 25 December 2025: Live broadcast on BBC One featuring all performances
4. 25 December 2025: Scarlett Moffatt and Vito Coppola crowned winners

What Information Is Confirmed About Strictly Christmas Special 2025?

Why Strictly Christmas Special 2025 Matters

The 2025 edition transcended typical festive programming by marking the end of an era. With Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman bidding farewell, the special acquired retrospective significance for long-term viewers. The event also showcased diverse talent across generations, from 24-year-old athlete Jodie Ounsley to 54-year-old soap veteran Nicholas Bailey.

For audiences interested in BBC’s broader seasonal offerings, the network maintains its reputation for period drama alongside reality competitions. Viewers might also appreciate Pride and Prejudice (1995 TV Series) Cast, Episodes, Where to Watch for classic festive viewing alternatives.

Official Confirmations and Media Coverage

Scarlett Moffatt was first announced and praised Strictly’s family appeal.

— Cosmopolitan, November 2025

It was the final Strictly special co-hosted by Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly before their departure from the show.

— Radio Times

Essential Details from Strictly Christmas Special 2025

Scarlett Moffatt’s victory with Vito Coppola capped the 2025 Strictly Christmas Special, broadcast on BBC One during Christmas Day primetime. The six-celebrity lineup delivered scores ranging from 35 to 39 points, with the television presenter ultimately claiming the festive Glitterball. As Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman signed off for the final time, the special concluded another year of the BBC’s flagship dance competition. Those interested in the network’s dramatic output may also explore Cast of Queen Charlotte A Bridgerton Story for additional viewing.

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