MUSIC: Christmas Strictly Theme
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
# Do you remember me?
# I sat upon your knee
# I wrote to you with childhood fantasies
# No more lives torn apart
# That wars would never start
# And time would heal all hearts
# Every man would have a friend
# That right would always win
# And love would never end
# This is my grown-up Christmas list. #
# Haul out the holly
# Put up the tree before my spirit falls again
# Fill up the stocking, I may be rushing things
# But deck the halls again now
# For we need a little Christmas
# Right this very minute
# Candles in the window
# Carols at the spinet
# Yes, we need a little Christmas
# Right this very minute
# It hasn't snowed a single flurry
# But, Santa, dear, we're in a hurry
# Climb down the chimney
# Turn on the brightest string of lights I've ever seen
# Slice up the fruitcake
# It's time we hung some tinsel
# In the evergreen bough
# For I've grown a little leaner
# Grown a little colder
# Grown a little sadder
# Grown a little older
# And I need a little angel
# Sitting on my shoulder
# Need a little Christmas now
# For we need a little music
# Need a little laughter
# Need a little singing
# Ringing through the rafter
# And we need a little snappy
# Happy ever after
# Need a little Christmas
# Now. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
It's Christmas in the Strictly Ballroom.
Please welcome Tess Daly
and Claudia Winkleman.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Welcome to Strictly Come Dancing
and merry Christmas, everyone!
CHEERING
A huge thank you to our Christmas cast
and choreographer Mandy Moore
for that fantastic start to the show.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE Brilliant.
We have six brand-new celebrities
ready to sprinkle some festive magic onto the dance floor.
Plus, later, we'll have a special performance from Blue.
CHEERING
But first...
Exactly.
But first, four people who share names with Santa's reindeer.
There's Dasher, Dancer, Prancer...
..and Craig.
Please welcome...
BOTH: ..the judges!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse.
Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke.
# Step into Christmas, let's join together
# We can watch the snow fall forever and ever
# Eat, drink and be merry, come along with me
# Step into Christmas, the admission's free
# Step into Christmas, let's join together
# We can watch the snow fall forever and ever
# Step into Christmas, the admission's free
# Oh, whoa. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
The judges, everyone.
Magnificent.
Tonight, we'll combine the judges' scores
with the votes of our studio audience
to decide who will be our Christmas champions.
So tuck into your yule log and enjoy the show.
And while you do, please welcome...
BOTH: ..our Christmas stars!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
MUSIC: Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin' Stevens
Comedian Babatunde Aleshe and his partner, Nancy Xu.
Singer Melanie Blatt and her partner, Kai Widdrington.
Actor Nicholas Bailey and his partner, Luba Mushtuk.
Singer Brian McFadden and his partner, Michelle Tsiakkas.
Gladiator and rugby champion Jodie Ounsley
and her partner, Neil Jones.
And finally, TV presenter Scarlett Moffatt
and her partner, Vito Coppola.
# Snow is falling Snow is falling
# All around me All around me
# Children playing Children playing
# Having fun Having fun
# It's the season, love and understanding
# Merry Christmas, everyone. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
You all look amazing.
Good luck to you all. Let's get started.
First onto the floor, with a Charleston,
it's comedian Babatunde Aleshe
and his partner, Nancy.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Hold that. Oh, yeah?
I love getting to do this.
CLAPPERBOARD SNAPS
MUSIC: Jump Around by House Of Pain
Hi, people. My name is Babatunde Aleshe
and I'm best known for being a stand-up comedian.
I was like, "Noooo."
I just get to make people laugh all day.
That's just the best job ever.
# Pack it up, pack it in... #
What I like about dancing is watching other people do it.
HE LAUGHS
I'm not supposed to be doing something like this.
I don't dance.
I mean, I'm looking forward to, like, challenging myself
and seeing what I could do,
but there's no turning back from this.
I can't act hard any more.
Like, the mandem are going to be like,
"Nah, bruv, you're a ballroom dancer."
# Jump around... #
Oh, Lord, what am I doing?
What am I doing, guys?
# Da, da-da, da-da-da... #
Learning the Charleston, I'm finding it very, very hard.
# Da, da, da. # Ooh.
Again. Oh.
SHE LAUGHS
Yeah, they say less is more,
but not with the Charleston.
Yeah!
More is more.
More. More, more, more. You can do better.
Why don't you give yourself...?
How Nancy is teaching me is by chasing me around the room...
LAUGHING: ..and telling me to do it again.
# Ka, ka. # I love you. Yeah? Do it again.
BOTH: Da-ah!
When it comes to the show, I'm going to be a bag of nerves.
I'm a bag of nerves now.
But I'm getting the hang of it, bit by bit.
In my dance, I am the naughty elf.
I'm trying to convince Nancy to be naughty,
but I think she needs some practice,
so we are at a group rehearsal.
I've given Nancy an earpiece
and I'm going to make her mess with some of the dancing.
This is going to be so much fun!
OK, Nancy, nod your head if you can hear me.
All right. Go up to Kai and say, "You look like an action figure."
You look like an action figure.
Me? Yeah.
What one? Barbie.
Barbie.
BABATUNDE LAUGHS
Are you OK today?
OK. Hide, hide, hide. Craig's coming.
Hide, hide, hide.
Ah!
You BLEEP!
Get some snacks.
Give Nick one. Put it in his mouth.
Chinese medicine. Thank you.
BABATUNDE LAUGHS
Scream, "Jingle bells!" to wake him up.
LAUGHING: Jingle bells!
OK, tell him, "You smell nice."
You smell like Christmas cake.
Can I bite you?
Er...that's a clear no. Thank you very much.
That was incredible.
I think that you're ready to be a naughty elf.
Oh, absolutely. Yeah? Ready. All right. Let's go practise.
We've got to rehearse. See you guys.
All right.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Dancing the Charleston,
Babatunde Aleshe and his partner, Nancy Xu.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
MUSIC: Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
# You better watch out
# You better not cry
# You better not pout
# I'm telling you why Why?
# Santa Claus is comin' to town
# Gather round
# He's making a list
# He's checking it twice
# He's gonna find out
# Who's naughty or nice
# Santa Claus is comin' to town
# He sees you when you're sleeping
# He knows when you're awake
# He knows if you've been bad or good
ALL: # So be good for goodness' sake
# You better watch out
# You better not cry
# You better not pout
# I'm telling you why
# Santa Claus is comin' to town
# He sees you when you're sleeping
# And he knows when you're awake
# He knows if you've been bad or good
# So be good for goodness' sake
# You better watch out
# You better not cry
# You better not pout
# I'm telling you why
# Santa Claus is comin' to town
# You better watch out
# You better not cry
# You better not pout
# I'm telling you why
# Santa Claus is comin'
# You mean the big, fat man with the long, white beard
# He's comin' to town. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Come on!
Oh, yes, Baba!
You're a cheeky little elf, aren't you? Come on.
That's put us all in the Christmas mood.
Come on. Dancing on the telly on Christmas Day... Yeah.
..how does that feel? It's good. I feel good.
Yes? I'm tired. Yes.
Now, I know a judge who happens to love a Charleston.
Ah. Let's see if he's going to be naughty or nice.
Craig?
I do love a Charleston and I like being naughty. That is true.
For me, that was a little laid back.
I've got to be honest, a little... Boo! Come on, Baba!
BOOING
That's telling you, Craig. It looked like you were dancing
after you'd just had your full Christmas dinner.
Well, he has. But you know what?
The swivel was absolutely brilliant.
Your timing was exceptional... Wahey!
..and your musicality was wonderful.
It was a really great routine. Excellent.
He's very fussy about the swivel. Thank you. I know.
Motsi? Well,
it wouldn't be Christmas without a naughty elf on the shelf. Yes.
And you gave us... He's here.
..a bad and naughty elf on the shelf and dancing.
You were excellent. We love the musicality.
We love your personality.
Come on!
Great work, guys.
Thank you.
Shirley?
A very, very delicious Christmas cake.
Very naughty, but very nice. I like Christmas cake.
Oh, I like it, as well.
I have to say, everything in that was tasty,
yummy and truly scrumptious, wasn't it, Anton?
Oh, no, it was. Oh, we loved it.
And the swivels and the connection
and the timing was just the star on the cake.
You were absolutely divine together. Well done, you.
Thank you. Yes! Thank you. Yes. How about that? Thank you.
Well done. Oh! Anton?
Hello, swivel. What about that swivel? Come on.
On your own, giving it plenty. I like it. Very clean.
Great timing, lovely partnering. SHIRLEY: Yeah, it was.
I enjoyed it enormously.
Well done. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thanks.
Sounds like the judges love an elf who can swivel.
Absolutely, yeah, man. Yeah. Congratulations. Oh, thank you.
Go and enjoy the party upstairs. Thank you so much. Thank you, Baba.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Baba and Nancy.
Come on, come on, come on.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Well done. You just opened the Christmas show! Yeah!
How did you find it? I found it really good.
I'm tired. Yes. My Lord! I know.
This is the Charleston. I know.
How do you guys do this? This is... This is tiring.
You did have the most tiring dance. It's hard work, right?
Yes, but do you know what I said to him? Go on, yeah.
Accept in the moment... Uh-huh. ..you can do the Charleston.
Then you will feel great on Christmas night. Yes.
Because you can just sit there, or sit in the bed,
or lie in the bed,
having any food in your bed... That's right. ..without guilty.
I plan to do that, don't worry about that. Yeah.
You absolutely smashed that.
How happy are you about the judges' comments?
You know, maybe on another time,
maybe you might see a better Charleston.
Who knows? I've never seen a better Charleston.
You've never? Not than what you saw tonight.
Unbelievable. Tonight was the one. Christmas! That's right.
Correct. Christmas Charleston.
That's what that was. Yes. Ten out of ten.
Good luck to both of you. Thank you. Scores are in.
Ladies and gentlemen, the judges have their scores.
Come on. Craig Revel Horwood.
Come on. Yes! Woohoo, come on!
Motsi Mabuse.
Shirley Ballas.
And Anton du Beke.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Are you happy?
HE CHUCKLES
He's naughty.
Ahhh!
I'm very happy. I'm very happy.
Yeah, well...
DOORBELL RINGS
Oh, oh, the door! The door. The door.
Excuse me. That's, er... That's the door.
OFF-KEY: # Gloria
# Hosanna in excelsis. #
Thank goodness they can dance.
Oh, dear.
APPLAUSE
But I now feel Christmassy. Tess.
Beautiful, judges. Thank you.
Our next couple is former All Saints star Melanie Blatt
and her partner, Kai.
Tonight they're dancing to the song Santa Baby
and, just like Santa, Mel's hoping to deliver
the perfect gift for Christmas Day -
a sophisticated Strictly performance.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
CLAPPERBOARD SNAPS
Hello. I'm Mel and I'm going to be attempting to dance.
MUSIC: I Predict A Riot by Kaiser Chiefs
I used to be in a band in the '90s called All Saints.
It was amazing, being with my best mates, travelling the world,
but the dancing was a lot of plodding around.
There was a lot of shoulder bobbing back in those days.
I don't think there's going to be any comparison
to dancing on Strictly.
# I predict a riot... #
I've always been nervous when I sang,
so this is going to be, like, times a million.
# I predict a riot... #
I am at the point in my life
where I know that I need to challenge myself.
I mean, you know, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
I'm just going to give it my best.
MUSIC: Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses
Double kick.
We are going to be dancing theatre jazz.
It's sort of Fred and Ginger-esque,
a lot of sort of posing.
# Ahh! #
I'm actually really enjoying it
and that's probably got something to do with Kai as well.
I mean, he's so lovely.
I'm holding on to you for dear life. That's OK. That's normal.
I wouldn't say I'm in my natural element here,
cos I've got scoliosis
and I've got metal rods in my spine, and that makes me quite stiff.
Yeah, and let's give it Gene Kelly.
So, if my life on Strictly wasn't hard enough,
Kai decided to bring umbrellas into this relationship.
Whoa!
It's just like, to me, a spiky weapon.
HE LAUGHS
I don't like doing anything half-hearted.
Whether I can pull it off, I don't know,
but I'm going to give it a good go.
MUSIC: Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin' Stevens
So we've been so busy rehearsing
and Kai's been so amazing teaching me this dance,
I thought I'd take him to the fairground
and let him have some fun on some rides.
# Time for parties... #
What a lovely idea Mel had to bring me to the winter fair.
It's not really Mel's cup of tea, but I love it.
Ooh!
HE LAUGHS
I've never seen a fully grown human man enjoy fairground rides
as much as Kai.
It's filling me with joy, watching him love it so much.
Agh!
Oh, my gosh.
Whoa!
HE SCREAMS
Woohoohoo!
I've been trying to get Mel on the roller-coasters all day,
but she's finally agreed to one and I've heard it's really scary.
# Christmas is here, bringing good cheer
# To young and old, meek and the bold
# Ding, dong, ding, dong, that is their song... #
Are you ready?
Yes. Come on, let's go!
It's been an amazing night, we've had so much fun,
and now I'm just ready to get on that dance floor and dance.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Dancing theatre jazz,
Melanie Blatt and her partner, Kai Widdrington.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
MUSIC: Santa Baby
# Santa, baby, slip a sable under the tree for me
# I've been an awful good girl
# Santa, baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight
# Santa, baby, a 54 convertible, too - light blue
# And I'll wait up for you, dear
# Santa, baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight
# Santa, baby, come fill my stocking with a duplex and cheques
# Sign your X on the line
# Santa, baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight
# Santa, baby, forgot to mention one little thing - a ring
# I don't mean on the phone
# Santa, baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight
# Santa, baby Hurry down the chimney tonight. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
LAUGHING: Yes!
You nailed it.
Well done. Well done.
Look at you, Mel.
Well done, my darling.
I'm not surprised you look pleased with yourself.
You made that look effortless. I can't believe I'm still standing!
It was good. You made it look easy. Did you enjoy it?
I did, I really enjoyed it.
Excellent. It's taken me a while to get to that point,
but right now I enjoyed it. Well, the audience loved it.
Let's see how the judges felt.
A little bit of theatre jazz for you, Shirley.
Ooh, Anton and I love a little bit of theatre jazz.
It was full of glitz and glamour.
Baubles, bangles, everything that goes divine
that hangs on your tree.
Lights, camera, action.
And I particularly liked
the way you used the umb-arella in the middle.
You were totally in sync.
You were never in sync, darling, on your umb-arella.
"An umb-arella"? Umb-arella.
Your umb-arella scene was fabulous, the whole thing.
I just thought, "Well, that was fabulous."
Did you think it was fabulous? Oh, I loved it! Fabulous!
Loved it! Fabulous!
Oh!
Oh! Anton?
Twas the night before Christmas
and all was quiet in the department store,
until you came in and started with all that nonsense.
I mean, I loved it.
It was all stylish and sophisticated and theatre jazz.
Yeah. Oh, I love a bit of theatre jazz.
If only I knew what it was. That was...
LAUGHTER
That was terrific.
Your timing... I loved your timing.
# Ba-da, ba... # All the tacit beats there
that you hit and all that, giving it all...
I really enjoyed it.
And it's still an umbrella. Thank you.
All that and umb-arella-ography.
Well done, Mel.
Theatre jazz. We're talking your language, Craig.
Indeed.
The custard was getting a little bit lumpy, darling.
BOOING
Oh, spoilsport.
I look like custard!
I was just going with the theme.
Much more beautiful than custard.
But you have a magnificent developpe.
I saw you do that, my love.
You did those really sharp
and fantastic jab kicks, which I loved.
The prop work is always difficult.
I think you did a very fine job of it, my love.
Wow. Thank you.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
I love Christmas Craig.
Motsi?
Listen, if Santa saw this dance,
he would be sprinting down the chimney,
because this was lovely.
It was sensual. You were in sync. It had a flair.
And to top it all off, what a beautiful smile.
Thank you. Thank you.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Thank you so much.
The judges loved it and the audience did, too.
You're gorgeous. Thanks, Tess. Thank you. Mel. Thank you very much.
Mel and Kai. Cheers.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Come on, then. Let's get up these stairs.
Whoo!
Yes!
I loved your face throughout all of that.
You were like, "Yeah, this is what I'm doing.
"It's Christmas Day." Yeah, custard.
And your daughter, Lilyella - she came over from America.
Yep. I haven't seen her for a year,
so I can't wait to be done so I can go and give her a big hug.
Yeah, it won't be long, I promise.
Tell me about how have you found the whole Strictly-fication?
It's been... It's been amazing, yet challenging,
you know, getting out of my comfort zone,
having to wear a dress, having to look like custard. Yes.
You know, all of these things, but it's very Christmassy custard,
so it's fine. It's absolutely fine.
Kai, I have to mention your mum, Candice.
She is in the audience tonight... She is, yes.
..and she makes you a very special snack for Christmas Day.
Share with the group. Yeah.
So, every Christmas morning since I was a boy,
she's always made sausage rolls by hand,
but with the secret ingredient of mango chutney.
And I have to tell you... Sounds nice. ..it is to die for.
We're all here for it. Congratulations.
You were both excellent. Thanks, darling. The scores are in.
The judges scores are in.
Craig Revel Horwood.
Oh! We'll take an 8. OK.
Motsi Mabuse.
Yes!
Shirley Ballas.
Oh, I loved it.
We got a 10!
Anton du Beke.
Happy with that? Happy with that.
Congratulations.
Still to come, Scarlett and Vito dance a cha-cha.
How is training going? By the way, you both look magnificent.
How is training? Honestly, we've had such a giggle.
Things have jiggled on my body that I didn't know could jiggle.
But it's just, like,
we've just honestly laughed from start to finish.
Yeah, we laugh a lot, we chat a lot... Yeah.
..and we snack and we eat. Yeah, we eat a lot.
And also we dance. And we dance.
OK, we can't wait to see it.
I don't know if they've been drinking. Tess.
Our next couple is Westlife star Brian McFadden
and his partner, Michelle,
and they are going to be dancing a jive.
Ooh, Tess. Now, now, before you carry on, I just...
You know there isn't an Argentine tango in the show tonight,
but...and we all know it's your favourite dance. It is.
So the four of us, we've had a whip-round
and we decided to get you one for Christmas.
Aw, thank you.
CHEERING AND WHOOPING
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Best present ever!
Merry Christmas. Thank you!
12!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
MUSIC: A Little Less Conversation by Elvis Presley and Junkie XL
Parp!
A bit too much stuffing with the turkey.
Hello, I'm Brian McFadden.
You probably know me best for being in Westlife.
# A little less conversation... #
Being in Westlife was one of the best experiences of my life,
getting to travel around the world, being a pop star,
which is something I never thought I was going to be as a kid.
# Come on, come on Come on, come on... #
My house was always full of dancing.
It was a huge part of growing up in Ireland.
I wasn't very good at it, but I absolutely loved doing it.
# A little less conversation... #
You know, Strictly, it's an institution.
It's part of British history.
But the main reason I'm doing this is for my daughter, Ruby.
She's absolutely obsessed with Strictly.
I can't wait to see her little face when she sees me on Christmas Day.
Cha, set. Cha, set. # Jingle bell, jingle bell... #
The jive is very, very difficult. It's not an easy dance.
Point your toe. You know, it's fast, you need really good stamina for it.
It's hard.
SHE LAUGHS
You see, there's this preconceived idea that being in a boyband
means you're a great dancer. But my Westlife days,
our biggest dance move was getting off the stool for the key change.
THEY LAUGH
So today was a little bit of a break from the norm,
and we had my wife, Danielle, and my daughter, Ruby,
come down and join us.
Hey! Hello!
THEY LAUGH
How are you, sweetie-pie? Do you want to watch us do our dance? Mwah!
# I don't wanna miss out on the holiday... #
My daddy's the best dancer in the world.
10!
THEY LAUGH
I think my daddy's going to win Strictly.
THEY LAUGH
I heard that there's a great choir on in Somerset House,
singing Christmas carols,
so I'm bringing Michelle to see what I do every day. Can't wait.
# Here it is, merry Christmas
# Everybody's having fun... #
What a little treat for Christmas.
To be able to hear all those voices around you... So beautiful.
..it is really magical. It's the best thing in the world.
SONG ENDS
CHEERING
Now that we have you here,
there actually is a particular number we sing... Oh, really?
..about flying. Oh, Flying Without Wings?
Oh, you know it, you know it! I wasn't really prepared for that,
but I've been singing that song for 27 years now, so it's in there.
# Everybody's looking for that something
# One thing that makes it all complete... #
When Brian was singing, it did feel quite emotional.
It's a beautiful song.
# Well, for me, it's waking up beside you... #
To be able to sing with a big choir like that,
that was a pretty special moment.
# Watch the sun rise on your face... #
Now it feels like the night before Christmas.
Everything's ready to go. And now focus on the dance.
SONG ENDS
CHEERING
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Dancing the jive,
Brian McFadden and his partner, Michelle Tsiakkas.
SONG: Run Rudolph Run
# Out of all the reindeer, you know you're the mastermind
# Run, run, Rudolph, Santa's not too far behind
# Run, run, Rudolph, Santa's gotta make it to town
# Santa, make him hurry, he can take the freeway down
# And away went Rudolph, whizzing like a merry-go-round
# Said Santa to a boy, "Child, what have you been longing for?"
# "Oh, all I want for Christmas is a rock and roll electric guitar"
# Then away went Rudolph, whizzing like a shooting star
# Run, run, Rudolph, Santa's gotta make it to town, yeah
# Can you make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down?
# Then away went Rudolph, whizzing like a merry-go-r-o-o-o-ound... #
CHEERING
# Oh, yeah-eah
# Run, run, Rudolph Run, run, Rudolph
# Really not too far to go
# Oh
# Oh-oh, oh, yeah
# Yeah. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Are you OK, Brian? You OK there, my love?
I mean, not many people could manage that after a Christmas dinner,
that jive. Had way too much turkey.
You can have a lie down in a minute. Oh, in a minute? OK. Not just yet.
Let's go to the judges, find out what they thought first.
You got a pretty good view there, Anton. Oh... Oh, yeah, I had a...
I had, er... I had too close...
You were thrilled with that bit there, weren't you?
You were enjoying yourself.
LAUGHTER
Yeah, I mean... He gets an extra point.
It did... An extra point for that. It did make me think,
"I must go home and crack some walnuts. I know how to do it now."
Lot of clenching going... Lot of clenching going on.
I thought this was...
This was great.
I loved this!
CHEERING
Absolutely magical.
I mean, a rock and roll number from a rock and roll star.
You were magnificent. I thought that was terrific.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
That's what we like to hear. Craig?
It did lack a little bit of precision.
BOOING
What? It's Christmas. That's the only negative.
The energy was absolutely fantastic.
You even had retraction in your kicks. I loved that.
You've been working on that. It was full of fantastic content.
You styled it out. I didn't know what was happening here
when you were climbing up... That makes two of us.
That makes two of us. But, you know, I enjoyed that a little bit,
that little... Our personal moment together there, darling,
was rather nice. Just for you, Craig. It was great.
It was fantastic. Really was.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Motsi. Man! Oh, my God! Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
Rock and roll Rudolph, you rocked the dance floor.
Honestly, you left no Christmas crumbs to eat.
Great choreography. Michelle - awesome.
Really well done. Well done, Michelle. Honestly.
Really well... Very musical. Very musical.
Lots of fun. Thank you. MICHELLE: Thank you. Shirley?
I think, after a few tipples of sherry,
that would be the kind of number
that my mother and I would like in our kitchen,
both of you rocking it, I'm telling you.
Kicks, flicks, highlights. Just a superstar.
Michelle, your choreography was absolutely out of this world.
You kept in sync. You kept in time.
It was everything that you would expect and more at Christmas.
Thank you so much, judges. Brilliant comments. Yes.
Brilliant, yeah. Thank you so much. Super happy with that.
I'm not going to lie, I'm so glad that's over now.
You can go upstairs and celebrate... That's me done.
Back to singing now for a while. ..with Claud. Thank you, Brian.
Brian and Michelle, everyone.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Shall I carry you up the stairs? Might have to!
Yes, Brian! Well done!
Brian and Michelle. Brilliant comment...
I know, it's a lot, right? I'm not going to lie,
I couldn't hear anything they said. My ears were going, "Bzzzzz..."
LAUGHTER
I was just nodding. You did fantastically well.
It is a very fast dance. You chose to do it in pleather. Respect.
I know, yeah, yeah, absolutely. You must be boiling in that.
It's very, very hot.
But I have to say, her choreography was amazing. Yeah.
She was so good.
CHEERING
I really designed this choreography based on Brian.
I told him, when he was on the judges' table, I was like,
"You just do you. Show me what you've got."
You started tapping... I might have got carried away wit that bit.
Yeah, so it was really for you.
You're a cool guy, and that was a cool choreo.
Yes, it was. Thanks, Michelle!
We also have to mention your four-year-old, Ruby,
cos I know she's watching and she loves Strictly.
Merry Christmas, Ruby. Merry Christmas.
And my other girls, Molly and Lilly - they're all watching. Hi!
OK. Good luck. The scores are in.
The judges have their scores.
Craig Revel Horwood.
CHEERING
Yeah!
Motsi Mabuse.
CHEERING
Shirley Ballas.
Yes!
CHEERING
Anton du Beke.
CHEERING
Congratulations. Brilliant. Good job, you! So happy!
Just a reminder that it's the audience vote
combined with the judges' scores
that will decide who will be crowned Strictly Christmas Champions 2025.
They are over the moon. Tess. Can't believe we got a 10!
Our next Christmas celebrity is Jodie Ounsley and her partner, Neil.
And as a Gladiator, Jodie's used to going head-to-head
in some extreme physical challenges.
But how will she fare tonight as she enters the Strictly arena
for a street commercial showdown?
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Merry Christmas!
CRACKER POPS
I'm Jodie Ounsley,
but you might know me best as Fury on Gladiators.
It's the almighty Fury!
# I'm in love with the shape of you.... #
I've been in sport my whole life.
It started with the World Coal Carrying Championships.
I then became British Champion in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
And then I represented England in rugby, which was amazing.
So I was born profoundly deaf
but when I was 14 months old, I had a cochlear implant fitted.
Music - I can't hear it, but we'll get round it.
My dancing experience?
Nonexistent. But I'm always up for a challenge
and I'm just going to give it my absolute all.
# Something brand-new... #
What's the worst that can happen?
Ha! That's it.
Between dancing and Gladiators,
dancing is harder, I'm telling ya.
# Welcome to my Christmas song... # Cooee! Argh! Every time!
When I came into it, I was thinking,
"Oh, gosh, I'm going to have to be all elegant."
But the dance is so me.
That's it. Yeah.
We're going to be dancing street commercial.
It's power, it's agility, it's fun, but also with a bit of sass as well.
# I'd like to sing about all the things... #
I think normally you see the guys doing all the lifts,
but I'm here flipping Neil over my back
and I think that is so refreshing.
Hopefully, he'll survive to the end.
MUSIC: Chariots Of Fire by Vangelis
Neil's brought me back on the rugby field
to attempt a world record of pulling the most crackers in a minute.
Jodie's got two Guinness World Records,
so I thought, team up together
and I might have a chance of winning my very own.
Jodie. Neil. The minimum to beat is 63. Are you ready?
Yes. Let's crack on.
THEY LAUGH
Sorry.
In three, two, one. Go!
The adrenaline, cos we were both shaking... We were shaking.
I were trembling. My body was like this, yeah.
Go. Go. Go.
SLOW-MOTION YELLING
SLOW-MOTION OOHING
Go. Go.
Three. Two. One. Stop!
Jodie. Neil. The minimum to beat was 63.
You achieved...
..72. Congratulations, you're officially amazing!
Yes!
I have a special guest with something for you.
Ho-ho! Congratulations. Oh, my gosh! Santa!
We absolutely smashed it. Got the world record.
Hopefully, now we can do the same with a dance
and, you know, win that glitter ball. Bring it on.
Let's go.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Dancing street commercial,
Jodie Ounsley and her partner, Neil Jones.
# So there's tinsel on the tree
# Apple cider in your cup
# But this year, it's up to me
# And it's time to spice it uuuuuup... #
CHEERING
UPBEAT TEMPO
# Yeah
# You ready?
# Kinda feeling like December
# You used a little more cinnamon Hey, yeah
# Red's a colour to remember
# And I should know cos I'm bringing it
# Hey, yeah
# Kinda feeling like December
# You used a little more cinnamon
# Mistletoe's green and the snowflakes white
# Got you feeling blue on a silent night
# Don't know about you, but I think inste-e-ead
# Christmas needs a little more red
# Make the lights flicker bright when I walk in
# Got the fire in my eyes, got 'em talking
# Now that I'm here, making it clear
# It's gonna be a red, red, red Christmas this year
# See the stars go from silver to crimson
# Everything the season's been missing
# Now that I'm here, making it clear
# It's gonna be a red, red, red Christmas this year
# Hey, Santa, you know what's up
# Rocking the suit and the sleigh
# But can't ya see that it's just
# Ha, that Christmas needs a little more red
# Makes the lights go from silver to crimson
# Everything the season's been missing
# Now that I'm here, making it clear
# It's gonna be a red, red, red Christmas this year. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Smashed that! Well done. Honestly, well done.
Hello, my darling. You all right? I'm good.
I know this is a special performance for you. You absolutely nailed that!
I think we've found another Gladiator who can dance, Motsi.
Oh, my goodness!
CHEERING
Yes, for sure. You slayed, Christmas Queen.
You did! That was really... I enjoyed that so, so much.
There was a pump. There was a vibe. You were strong. You were sharp.
And I understood the storytelling. Was a lot of fun.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Shirley. Well, definitely the boss lady.
I mean, when you kind of threw him over to the floor...
She was in charge. ..it was like a fight scene
with the family on Christmas Day after too much wine.
Do you know what I mean? It was absolutely terrific.
You are a star, young lady.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
All right. Yes, you are. Anton. I enjoyed it enormously.
I mean, Neil, you picked a dance to do, a powerful dance like that.
I mean, I have to be honest, you came second best. She was...
Fine. She was mighty. You were magnificent.
You...
HE LAUGHS
Wham!
Wham! Two falls and a submission. It was incredible.
I really, really... Your timing was good.
Your musicality is good. Your power was tremendous.
Lot a style as well. I reckon you should do the main show.
Follow in Harry's footsteps. What about that?
He's good. He's really good. Craig.
Yeah, I have to agree. Strong, clear, clean lines and moves.
CHEERING
I particularly loved all the floor work that you were doing,
cos that stuff is not easy.
I particularly loved, loved, loved the rugby tackle,
seeing Neil go down - that was my favourite bit.
Cos he deserves that sometimes.
No, no, no, keep it down. I thought the whole thing was formidable.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
I think all the judges enjoyed Neil going down, Jodie.
And they certainly enjoyed your performance. Congratulations.
Thank you. It was brilliant. Go and get your scores with Claud.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE DROWNS SPEECH
Yes! Well done, darling. You did so, so well.
And it was a hard routine.
It was hard. It was really hard. For me, it was hard!
Did you enjoy it, Jodie?
Well, it was like a HIIT class.
I thought we were dancing, but that were hard.
Like, I'm absolutely blowing.
LAUGHTER
You were magnificent. How much does it mean for you to be here?
Well, I think, obviously, it's been a pretty hard time.
And, um, cos last week I suddenly lost my dad, which was a shock.
And he was going to be here tonight to watch me,
so I think, if anything, it's actually been amazing
to be around these guys, just getting me through it.
And, yeah, and to be honest, I just danced
like he was in the audience, and I'm just happy my mum's here as well
and she's, you know, got out and that, so, yeah.
Yeah. It meant a lot. You did brilliantly. We love you, Jodie.
Neil, how has it been, working with this extraordinary woman?
Honestly, it's been incredible.
And, you know, we all turn around every time
and say, "Oh, they're great, they're working hard."
I said to you... I sent you a message. And I said,
"If my daughter can be like you when she grows up,
"I will be the happiest man in the world." Aw, thank you!
You're amazing. Good luck. The scores are in.
Will the judges please reveal their scores?
Craig Revel Horwood.
CHEERING
9!
Motsi Mabuse.
CHEERING
Ah! Oh!
Shirley Ballas.
CHEERING
Anton du Beke.
CHEERING
Lovely. 37.
Huge congratulations. You over the moon?
I'm just speechless, to be honest.
Like, you know, I just wanted to get through that dance,
never mind that, so I'm honestly chuffed.
DOORBELL CHIMES Oh. So sorry. Someone's there.
It's the door.
Hello? Oh!
47 mince pies for a Miss T Daly.
Yes! We live together. Yes. I'll take those.
There was a few more, but I got a bit hungry.
LAUGHTER
Tuck in. Thanks, Love. Yeah, go on. Everyone, get in. Tess.
Oi, save me a mince pie, you lot.
It is time now for something romantic,
so snuggle up on the sofa, give your loved ones a cuddle,
and watch a beautiful Viennese waltz
from EastEnders star Nicholas Bailey and his partner, Luba.
Fancy a little snuggle, Craig?
Come on! I've always wanted to do this!
Snuggle in! Ahh...
MUSIC: Hold On, I'm Comin' by Sam & Dave
My name's Nicholas Bailey.
Been a professional actor for 35 years.
I'm best known for playing the part of Dr Anthony Trueman in EastEnders.
I really loved you!
I think being an actor will help me in my dance journey.
There's an extent to which you've got to be in the moment,
you've got to connect with an audience.
I love to dance.
Any time there's a beat, I'm the first on the dance floor.
But in terms of formal dance training,
there's no experience whatsoever
# Hold on... #
When I step out there onto the Strictly dance floor,
there will be pressure, but I think you need that little edge.
Hopefully, that's when the magic happens.
And step and courtesy...
I've always wanted to do a Viennese waltz,
but when I turned up, I realised how technical it was.
Ta-ta, bada-boom!
It's very specific. So it's tough trying to get your head around
exact form and structure.
So... Oh, that's lovely.
It feels great to do the lifts.
Ah!
I'm just worried that I'm going to drop Luba or spin her off the stage.
But she's very, very kind. Very, very patient.
Beautiful.
Gorgeous. There you go. Yeah.
It's amazing when you make a breakthrough
and you just see the smile break out on Luba's face.
Well done!
When people say it's transformative, they really are right.
It's pretty amazing, and I'm really enjoying the experience.
Luba, thank you so much for teaching me how to dance. It was a pleasure.
And as a sign of my gratitude, I thought I'd bring you
down to the amazing Albert Square for a spot of acting.
Yes! I love it! Yeah? Let's go.
Luba, you'll never guess what. What happened?
Someone broke into Ian's gaff overnight.
No way. Yes. And stole all his mince pies.
How... How did they get in?
They think perhaps they got in through the chimney.
Who can that be?
Well, don't look at me. I was in the Queen Vic all night.
Oh.
At least there's some honest people still around.
It was lovely to take Luba onto Albert Square.
Get out of my pub!
Listen, if I was an agent, I'd sign Luba in a heartbeat.
Oh, hi, guys.
I found your birth certificate, Santa.
Let me see that. Santa, it says here...
..Luba's your mother.
You're not my mother!
YES, I AM!
EASTENDERS DOOF-DOOFS
MUSIC: Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
Nick, thank you so much. It's been wonderful.
It's been lovely having you.
After a bit of acting with Luba,
now I'm ready to get back on the dance floor
and just have a great time.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Dancing the Viennese waltz,
Nicholas Bailey and his partner, Luba Mushtuk.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
MUSIC: It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
# It's the most wonderful time of the year
# Ding-dong, ding-dong
# With the kids jingle belling
# And everyone telling you
# Be of good cheer Ah-ah-ah
# It's the most wonderful time of the year... #
CHEERING
# It's the hap-happiest season of all
# Ding-dong, ding-dong
# With those holiday greetings
# And gay happy meetings
# When friends come to call
# It's the hap-happiest season
# Of a-a-a-a-a-all
# There'll be much mistletoing
# And hearts will be glowing
# When loved ones are near
# It's the most wonderful time
# Yes, the most wonderful time
# Oh, the most wonderful ti-i-i-i-ime
# Of the year. #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Yes!
Well done! Well done.
How about that?
Nicholas, that was totally charming.
You warmed my heart. Thank you.
You looked like you were having the best time ever. Oh, amazingly.
Yeah, I had a fantastic time. My heart's a little warm as well.
Is it? But for slightly different reasons! It's going quite fast?
It was brilliant. Thank you.
A gift for us all, Shirley.
My heart's warm, too, after watching that.
I just thought it was beautiful.
That is a gift worth giving over and over and over again.
Like a night out, and the Ritz on Christmas Day.
Now, you are debonair. You are sophisticated.
You swept across that floor.
It was pure class on Christmas Day.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
She's right. Amazing, thank you.
I can't wait to hear what Anton thought of it.
Oh! Oh!
Oh! Just gorgeous.
I have to tell you, it was a bit of a surprise
cos it was really, genuinely good.
I mean, your hands... Yes.
It's the sweepity, sweepity, sweepity hands, and lovely...
And your top line?! Immaculate! Oh, thank you.
You look like you've been doing this for months, not days!
It was absolutely beautiful. A great teacher! Well done.
My favourite dance of the night.
Oh! Beautiful. His favourite dance of the night!
I can't wait to hear what Craig thought about those hands,
cos he's quite particular about hands!
Well, you had a small little incident,
a little moment there that I noticed.
BOOING
I'm just pointing out what I saw, darling.
But you know what? I was as surprised as Anton, I've got to say.
It had flow. It had rotation.
You used the floor extremely well, darling.
You were like a grand conductor out there.
Yes! And the hands were fantastic!
I loved it.
CHEERING
Motsi? Truly, truly, truly beautiful.
I love the way you used your standing leg,
and, honestly, your frame was unbelievable.
How about that tail suit?
That tail suit, you know what? You belong in the Wiener Ball.
You go in and do a New Year's Wiener Walzer.
So, so schon... Oh!
Very, very nice! It's very nice!
Thank you so much.
You've been a full-on Christmas surprise for the judges!
Looks like it. Congratulations. That's got to feel good?
Thank you. Oh, yeah, it's amazing.
And when we're gliding together and we're just connected like that,
I just want to keep going into the car park
and down the high street! Well, we wish you would keep going!
Very well deserved comments. Thank you. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Nicholas and Luba! Thank you.
CHEERING
Well done!
Yes!
HE LAUGHS
Yes!
Amazing comments! Well done.
A bit sweaty here! A bit clammy here!
You've never been on the dance floor before? Never.
And then you went and did that!
Yeah. What just happened? Magic!
I had an amazing teacher. Yeah, Luba... My maestra. Maestra.
Thank you. Yes. Luba, it is amazing.
You were quite nervous before? Yeah, yeah. It's odd.
I felt like a sense of excitement. But once we locked into one another,
it was just like the world just disappeared.
It was a really amazing experience. It's good.
You want to feel a bit... You want to feel a few butterflies.
Yeah. Of course, it's very important. Yeah.
Lets you know you care. I love the fact that you said Luba
is the greatest teacher, and she has some interesting techniques!
Yeah, she does. Don't you, Luba? Yes, I do.
Well, I made him dance with a chair, with a scarf,
with a broom, with elastics.
What else I did? That's right. That was about it.
I had him dance with everything! Yes. Whatever was in her bag!
I just made sure that when he doesn't have me by his side,
he can keep dancing. That's right. With any partner. It's been amazing.
You two were amazing. Thank you. Good luck.
The scores are. Appreciate it. Thank you.
The scores are in.
Craig Revel Horwood.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Motsi Mabuse.
LOUDER CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
10!
Shirley Ballas.
CHEERING
10!
Anton du Beke.
CHEERING
Well done, Nicholas and Luba! Please do remember... Oh, wow.
..it's the studio audience, combined with the judges' scores
that decide who will become our Strictly Christmas champions.
DOORBELL RINGS
You're not going to believe this. It's the door.
Oh, hello.
AUDIENCE: Aww.
BUTTON CLICKS
# Silent night... #
It's carol singers.
# Holy night... #
Mm.
# All is calm
# All is bright... # Oh!
# Round yon virgin mother and child... #
Ah!
# Holy infant so tender and mild
# Sleep in heavenly peace... #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
So sweet!
Our final couple tonight is taking us out-out
for a cha-cha in a club.
Some of the judges are keen to head out, too,
but I wasn't sure if it might still be a little bit early.
DANCE MUSIC PLAYS
It's never too early to go clubbing with Shirley!
Let's go!
Whatever you say, head judge!
It's Scarlett Moffatt and her partner, Vito!
MUSIC: I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston
Whoo! I'm here! I'm excited.
I'm Scarlett Moffatt,
and I am most famous for being on the telly.
Probably for being a professional couch potato on Gogglebox!
I feel like I've just been so lucky that I've got to do crazy shows.
But I feel like this one might be my favourite.
# Oh, I wanna dance with somebody... #
I've always loved dance,
so to do Strictly has been on my Christmas list
since I was 13, since the show started.
I'm so excited to meet the judges, you know.
I really, really want to impress Shirley,
cos she's like the Latin queen, and I'm doing a cha-cha-cha.
I just can't wait to strap my dance shoes on
and just get on that floor.
Run, run, step.
Training with Vito, I've already won that glitter ball,
because I'm just having the best time ever.
# Oh, yeah!
# Candles burning low... # No!
Vito literally threw me in the deep end.
And by that, I mean, like, actually threw me to the floor.
Oh, my God, Vito!
I've not been thrown about like that, ever!
So, you know, merry Christmas!
Bend the front leg, big one. Shoo, shoo, stretch.
So I have learned a new word, which is "bogies".
When Scarlett was spinning around, there was a bit of bogies come out.
Oh, my God, I've got snot on my face!
As a teacher, it makes me very proud.
It means that you are spinning really quick, you know?
So I say, like, good bogies!
This is my dream, and it's come true.
I just want to enjoy every single second of it.
So me and Vito are having some well-earned rest from training,
and I really wanted Vito to meet my fiance, Scott,
and my little boy, Jude.
And we're going to go on a magical Christmas light trail.
Oh, wow. Jude! Look how many lights there are over there!
What colours can you see?
Are you cuddling Daddy?
We've only just introduced the idea of Santa to him,
so hopefully he gets excited when he meets him.
Oh! Is Santa down here?
I think so.
Hello there!
Do you want to give Santa a high five?
Want to give me a high five? Yeah! Thank you very much.
You're very kind. What would you like for Christmas?
He's off!
SHE LAUGHS
I just don't think he was that keen on Santa!
He's more interested in the lights, bless him!
Jude - so cute!
Sorry. He's run off!
THEY LAUGH
Two-year-olds do what two-year-olds are going to do!
This has been so wholesome,
experiencing the madness of Christmas!
And I'm just so excited now
that Jude gets to watch his mammy and Vito on Christmas Day.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Dancing the cha-cha,
Scarlett Moffatt and her partner, Vito Coppola.
MUSIC: DJ Play A Christmas Song
# No-one on the streets and the city is quiet
# I should be asleep by the heat of the fire
# But I'm on my way out
# And I'm gonna stay out
# I can feel the pulse as I walk in the door
# Take me through the crowd to the middle of the floor
# The red and the green lights
# Are hitting me just right
# Nothing more, nothing less
# I got one request
# DJ, play a Christmas song
# I wanna be dancing all night long
# It's cold outside but it's warm in here
# And that's the only thing I want this year
# DJ, play a Christmas song
# I wanna be dancing all night long
# It's cold outside but it's warm in here
# And that's the only thing I want this year
# DJ, play a Christmas song
# I wanna be dancing all night long
# It's tough outside, but it's love in here
# And that's the only thing I want this year
# That's the only thing I want this year! #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Yes!
Oh, you've had a very busy Christmas, Scarlett, learning that!
Goodness me! Well done! Thank you!
And a massive thank you to Dave Arch, his band,
and our brilliant singers for tonight's soundtrack.
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Merry Christmas, guys. Love you all.
Oh! And you love a cha-cha, Motsi! How was that?
I love a cha-cha! But a good cha-cha? Oh, my goodness!
That was really, really, really great.
Beautiful choreography again.
But everything went so smoothly, the transition.
Your personality on the dance floor, the best Christmas gift ever.
Aw, that's lovely! Thank you.
Shirley. Well, it was like the icing on the cake, everything.
I love detail. You had attention to detail.
Like you said, the choreography was yummy.
You did a fabulous job on that. You were connected to one another.
I mean, you just looked absolutely terrific.
We like that. Well done. Thank you!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Anton?
Oh, like the star at the top of one of our trees!
You absolutely are. Beautiful.
I mean, the ladies have said everything.
It was a tremendous cha-cha-cha.
I mean, it was excellent. I mean, the leg action was good.
The feet with the thing, and the thing with the thing...
And the point at the... This thing that you do
when you do your hand around your head,
and you walk around going, "Yeah, yeah, yeah!
"Cha-cha-cha! Cha-cha-cha!"
I have to be honest with you,
that could be the best dance of the night.
Oh, don't. I'll cry!
CHEERING
What do you think, Craig?
Fab-u-lous!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Thank you!
Oh, my goodness!
Couldn't have hoped for better comments from the judges.
Let's see where that leaves you on the Christmas leaderboard. Thank you.
Off you go and get your scores. Thank you! Thank you!
Scarlett and Vito.
CHEERING
Yes!
Thank you! Thank you. Oh, my gosh.
A brilliant dance! A fantastic dance.
I love the fact that you've said this was your dream.
This was my childhood dream, honestly.
Like, I can't... Yeah. I feel like I'm going to wake up at any moment,
but this was, like, top of my bucket list, Christmas list.
Thank you, Santa!
LAUGHTER
What's it been like, working with Vito?
Oh, I mean... Do you know what? Honestly, like, this was a dream.
And it's been made even better,
cos I've got a new friend out of it.
We've had such a good time, honestly. Yes. it's been so lovely.
Vito, how much fun have you had with Scarlett?
So much fun, honestly. Since day one,
we have laughed so much that I felt the acid lactic in the abs.
What? You remember? When you laugh so much you feel lactic...
OK, yes. Yes. And, after, it was, like, we need to have, you know,
a bit of break because otherwise, you know...
We're laughing too much, so we need to dance.
And after we start to dance and after we are here.
But honestly, we never take ourselves too seriously. No? No, no.
We like to laugh about each other, about ourselves.
And you keep calling me a potato, which has been lovely.
Yeah, because we are the potato team.
OK. So, yeah. She's my potato. I think she's picked that up.
I'm going to give you, instead of the Christmas ball,
a potato ball you can put on the tree. What he said!
You are a Christmas gift, Vito! Across the language barrier!
Good luck. The scores are in.
The judges have their scores.
Craig Revel Horwood.
CHEERING
Motsi Mabuse.
CHEERING
Shirley Ballas.
CHEERING
Anton du Beke.
CHEERING
Yes, mate!
Well done, darling. Well done to the two of you.
Thank you so much. Thank you.
It's Christmas!
Our final stars have danced,
so let's take a look at the leaderboard.
In first place is Scarlett,
then in joint second, Brian and Nicholas.
Then there's Jodie, then there's Melanie,
and then there's Baba. The judges' scores
are only half the story.
Our studio audience are ready to vote for their favourite couple,
and while they do that, we have some music.
This is amazing. Performing the classic One Love,
please welcome Blue!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
# It's kind of funny how life can change
# Can flip 180 in a matter of days
# Sometimes love works in mysterious ways
# One day you wake up, gone without a trace
# I refuse to give up
# I refuse to give in
# Oh
# You're everything
# I don't want to give up
# I don't want to give in
# Oh
# So everybody sing
ALL: # One love for the mother's pride
# One love for the times we cried
# One love gotta stay alive
# I will survive
# One love for the city streets
# One love for the hip-hop beats
# One love, oh, I do believe
# One love is all we need
# Late at night I'm still wide awake
# Think this is far more than I can take
# I thought my heart could never break
# Never break
# Now I know that's one big mistake
# I refuse to give up
# I refuse to give in
# Oh
# You're everything
# I don't wanna give up
# I don't wanna give in
# No, no
# Everybody sing
# One love for the mother's pride
# One love for the times we cried Times we cried
# One love gotta stay alive
# I will survive
# One love for the city streets One love
# One love for the hip-hop beats For the hip-hop beats
# One love, oh, I do believe
# One love is all we need
# One love For the mother's pride
# One love For the times we cried
# One love Gotta stay alive
# I will survive
# One love For the city streets
# One love For the hip-hop beats
# One love Oh, I do believe
# One love is all we need
# One love for the mother's pride
# One love for the times we cried
# One love gotta stay alive
# Ooh, yeah I will survive
# One love for the city streets One love
# One love for the hip-hop beats One love
# One love, oh, I do believe Ooh-hoo
# One love is all we need! #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Aww, thank you to Blue,
and our professional dancers, Nadiya, Vito, Lauren and Neil.
Before we find out who's taking home the Christmas trophy,
let's have a reminder of all of tonight's performances. Let's!
# ..for goodness' sake
# You better watch out, you better not cry
# You better not pout, I'm telling you why
# Santa Claus is coming to town! #
# ..light blue, and I'll wait up for you, dear
# Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight! #
# Santa's gotta make it to town, yeah
# Can you make him hurry, tell him take the freeway down? #
# ..making it clear
# It's gonna be red, red, red Christmas this year
# See the stars go from silver to crimson
# Everything the season's been missing! #
# When friends come to call
# It's the hap-happiest season of all! #
# I wanna be dancing all night long
# It's cold outside, but it's warm in here
# And that's the only thing I want this year! #
CHEERING
Six couples have danced. But only one can win.
It is time to reveal our Christmas champions.
The results are in.
We've combined the studio audience votes
with the judges' scores, and I can now reveal
that the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Champions 2025 are...
..Scarlett and Vito!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
Scarlett and Vito!
Guys, so well done.
Brilliant!
How does it feel to be Christmas champions?
THEY LAUGH
This is amazing! This is actually...
I feel like I should have prepared a speech!
I don't know what to say!
This is honestly, like, the greatest gift
that ever could have happened at Christmas.
And, honestly, we've all just had the best time, haven't we?
We've all just had the best time ever. Like...
Come on, Vito! You're amazing!
So sweet.
Well, I can now present you with the Christmas trophy.
It's all yours.
Lift it high and celebrate!
CHEERING
Yeah! I don't believe that we won!
Dow did we do that?
Congratulations to all our couples. And a huge thank you
for spending part of your Christmas Day with us.
And there's time for just one more performance.
Please welcome back on the dance floor
our Christmas cast of 2025! Yay!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
# Happy holiday
# While the merry bells keep ringing
# May your every wish come true
# Happy holiday Happy holiday
# May the calendar keep bringing
# Happy holidays
# Happy holidays to you! #
# Come, get together
# Let the dance floor feel your leather
# Step as lightly as a feather
# Let yourself go
# Come hit the timber
# Loosen up and start to limber
# Can't you hear that hot Marimba?
# Let yourself go
Relax and let yourself go
# Relax, you got yourself tied up in a knot
# The night is cold, but the music's hot
# So come, cuddle closer
# Don't you dare to answer "No, sir"
# Butcher, baker, clerk and grocer
# Let yourself go! #
# Happy holiday Happy holiday
# While the merry bells ringing
# May the calendar keep bringing
# Happy holidays to you
# To you, to you! #
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
That was brilliant!
Thank you to choreographer Bill Deamer,
and all of our fantastic Christmas couples.
And thank you again for watching us over the years,
it has meant the world to us.
So there's just one thing left to do. Come on, Tess.
For our very final time, Claud. So let's make it count.
TOGETHER: Keep dancing!
CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
MUSIC: All I Want For Christmas Is You
# I don't want a lot for Christmas
# There is just one thing I need
# I don't care about the presents
# Underneath the Christmas tree
# I just want you for my own
# More than you could ever know
# Make my wish come true
# All I want for Christmas
# Is you! #
CHEERING