It’s that time of year again – the celebs taking part in the festive special of Strictly have been announced.
Six of the most memorable contestants from past shows will return for your yuletide viewing pleasure.
The women will be – deep breath – singer Sophie Ellis Bextor, actress Lisa Riley and S Club’s Rachel Stevens.
And jiving for the guys are Olympic gymnast Louis Smith, TV presenter Chris Hollins and astrologer Russell Grant.
Of course we all want to know which professional dancer will be steering round each celeb, so without further ado....Sophie will be partnered with Aljaž Skorjanec, Lisa Riley with Robin Windsor, Rachel Stevens with Tristan MacManus, Louis Smith and Aliona Vilani, Chris Hollins with Iveta Lukosiute, Russell Grant and Joanne Clifton. Phew.
This year’s show will have a special pantomime theme, with each of the stars taking on a role from a popular panto.We hope we get to see Rachel Stevens in comedy make-up and a pair of lurid-coloured tights.
But in case this all sounds too sentimental for you, judges Len Goodman, Darcey Bussell, Bruno Yolioni and Craig Revel Horwood are also back to crush contestant’s dreams on the dancing day.
The couple who performs the best panto-inspired yuletide routine will be crownd 2014 Christmas champion and get the lifetime honour of lifting the iconic silver star trophy.
But hopefully we can all agree that the greatest Christmas miracle of all is that Bruce Forsyth will be returning to host the show with Tess Daly, so prepare yourselves for reams of cheesy gags and impromptu tap dances.