BBC executives are planning a drastic overhaul for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, bringing back past fan favourites in a high-stakes bid to halt falling viewing figures.
According to reports in The Sun, show bosses are ditching the traditional format—which usually features brand-new celebrities taking to the dancefloor for a one-off festive challenge—in favour of an all-star comeback edition.
The strategy comes as the flagship Saturday night series endures a difficult autumn. Despite a high-profile revamp of the presenting line-up designed to target younger demographics, ratings for the current series have dropped by around one million viewers compared to 2025. The slump has sparked concern behind the scenes, prompting producers to pull out all the stops for the annual festive showpiece.
Former Stars Set for Festive Return
Under the proposed revamp, previous standout contestants are being courted to make a festive return. Among the names linked to the festive special are Celebrity Big Brother and radio star Denise Van Outen—who reached the final in 2012—and JLS singer JB Gill, a fan favourite from the main series.
Rather than reuniting with their original professional partners, returning stars will be re-paired with new members of the professional dance troupe. Each couple will perform festive-themed routines set to classic Christmas tracks, with the hope that nostalgic appeal will lure back disengaged viewers over the holidays.
Presenting Shake-Up Fails to Deliver Boost
The festive gamble follows a mixed reaction to major changes made ahead of the main series launch. In an effort to modernise the format and appeal to Gen Z audiences, show runners overhauled the hosting team. However, overnight audience data shows the current series averaging around 4.8 million viewers for its live broadcasts, down from 6.2 million during the equivalent period last year.
While the BBC points out that consolidated viewing figures—which include catch-up streams on BBC iPlayer—tell a broader story, insiders suggest executives are keen to secure a definitive win in the Christmas Day ratings race.
High Stakes for Christmas Day
The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special remains a cornerstone of the BBC’s holiday lineup, typically dominating festive viewing along with the EastEnders and Call the Midwife Christmas specials.
A TV insider told us: “Bosses know they need to restore the magic and give audiences a reason to tune in. Bringing back beloved faces who already have established dance credibility and huge popularity is seen as a guaranteed way to bring back the warm, feel-good nostalgia that viewers expect on Christmas Day.”
Rehearsals for the pre-recorded special are set to begin in late November at the show’s Elstree Studios base, with the official lineup expected to be confirmed by the BBC in the coming weeks.