Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Specials

Main article: Strictly Come Dancing

The Christmas Specials of Strictly Come Dancing have been transmitted by BBC Television each year since 2004. Early editions contained a selection of contestants from the most recent and occasionally previous seasons of the show, however from the 2010 special to the 2013 special, the competition has been contested by celebrities who are unable to compete in the main series due to time constrictions. With their professional dance partners the celebrities perform their chosen Ballroom or Latin dance which is then marked by the judges. The winning couple is chosen by a studio audience vote.

Results

Year
Christmas champions
Runners-up
2004 Jill Halfpenny & Darren Bennett Natasha Kaplinsky & Brendan Cole
2005 Darren Gough & Lilia Kopylova Zoë Ball & Ian Waite
2006 Colin Jackson & Erin Boag Zoë Ball & Ian Waite
2007 Darren Gough & Lilia Kopylova Gethin Jones & Camilla Dallerup
2008 Jill Halfpenny & Darren Bennett Kelly Brook & Brian Fortuna
2009 Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna Rachel Stevens & Vincent Simone
2010 John Barrowman & Kristina Rihanoff N/A
2011 Charlie Brooks & Vincent Simone
2012 J.B. Gill & Ola Jordan
2013 Rufus Hound & Flavia Cacace
2014 Louis Smith & Aliona Vilani

2004

     Winner

     Runner-up

This Christmas special was broadcast live on 22 December 2004, featuring top couples from both of the first two series (with the exception of Christopher Parker and Julian Clary, who were not able to appear). The show was won by Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennett. Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole were second.

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.

Celebrity Position on Strictly Notability Professional Judges' scores Dance
Martin Offiah Series 1 fourth place Former England Rugby Player Erin Boag 26 (6,6,7,7) Jive
Aled Jones Series 2 fourth place Christian Music Singer/Television Presenter Lilia Kopylova 30 (7,7,8,8) Samba
Lesley Garrett Series 1 third place Classical Music Singer Anton du Beke 31 (7,8,8,8) Waltz
Natasha Kaplinsky Series 1 champion Television Presenter Brendan Cole 33 (7,8,9,9) Foxtrot
Denise Lewis Series 2 runner-up Olympic Heptathlete Ian Waite 37 (9,9,9,10) Quickstep
Jill Halfpenny Series 2 champion EastEnders Actress Darren Bennett 36 (9,9,9,9) Jive

2005

     Winner

     Runner-up

The Christmas special in 2005, broadcast on 24 December, featured the top four couples (Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova, Colin Jackson and Erin Boag, Zoë Ball and Ian Waite, James Martin and Camilla Dallerup) from the 2005 series competing against two competitors from the US version, Dancing with the Stars, who danced with two professionals from the British series. The two competitors from the US series were Rachel Hunter, who was teamed with Brendan Cole, and Evander Holyfield, who danced with Karen Hardy. Season 2 winner Jill Halfpenny was scheduled to appear with her partner Darren Bennett, but pulled out due to a breakdown in fee negotiations.

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.

Celebrity Position on Strictly Notability Professional Judges' scores Dance
Evander Holyfield Dancing with the Stars 2005 competitor Former Heavyweight Boxer Karen Hardy 22 (3,5,7,7) Jive
Rachel Hunter Dancing with the Stars 2005 competitor Supermodel/Actress/Television Presenter Brendan Cole 36 (9,9,9,9) Rumba
Zoë Ball Series 3 third place TV/Radio Presenter Ian Waite 38 (9,9,10,10) Foxtrot
James Martin Series 3 fourth place Celebrity Chef Camilla Dallerup 37 (8,10,10,9) Foxtrot
Colin Jackson Series 3 runner-up Olympic Hurdler Erin Boag 35 (9,8,9,9) Cha-Cha-Cha
Darren Gough Series 3 winner Cricketer Lilia Kopylova 40 (10,10,10,10) Quickstep

As well as winning the 2005 series, Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova won this Christmas Special, after receiving the full 40 marks from the judges.

2006

     Winner

     Runner-up

The Christmas special in 2006 featured stars from the third and fourth series going head to head to perform their highest-scoring dances. The theme of the programme was black and white, so whether it was wintry white gowns, the little black dress or top hat and tails, the dancers and the dance floor were decked in black and white, setting the stage for some show-stopping performances.

It was a pre-recorded show shown on Christmas Day on BBC One.

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.

Celebrity Position on Strictly Notability Professional Judges' Scores Dance
Louisa Lytton Series 4 fourth place EastEnders Actress Vincent Simone 36 (9,9,9,9) Jive
Mark Ramprakash Series 4 champion Cricketer Karen Hardy 36 (9,9,9,9) Salsa
Emma Bunton Series 4 third place Former Spice Girls Singer Darren Bennett 36 (9,9,9,9) Samba
Matt Dawson Series 4 runner-up Retired Rugby Player Lilia Kopylova 37 (9,9,10,9) Waltz
Zoë Ball Series 3 third place TV Presenter Ian Waite 38 (9,10,9,10) Rumba
Colin Jackson Series 3 runner-up Olympic Hurdler Erin Boag 40 (10,10,10,10) Quickstep

After the combined scores of the judges' marks and the votes of the studio audience, Colin Jackson and Erin Boag won the competition, after getting the full 40 marks from the judges, with Zoë Ball and Ian Waite being runners up. The final places of the bottom four couples was not announced - they were eliminated from the competition in a random order.

2007

     Winner

     Runner-up

The 2007 Christmas Special featured the top four couples from Series Five (Alesha Dixon, Matt Di Angelo, Gethin Jones and Letitia Dean), as well as Darren Gough and Mark Ramprakash (champions of Series Three and Four respectively). The winner was Series Three champion Darren Gough, who received a perfect 40 for his American Smooth, and had the highest score overall when the judges' points were combined with the studio audience vote. Series Five semi-finalist Gethin Jones, who also received a perfect 40 for his Waltz, was runner up. The final place of the bottom four couples was not announced.

It was broadcast on BBC One on Christmas Day (25 December 2007).

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.

Celebrity Position on Strictly Notability Professional Judges' score Dance
Alesha Dixon Series 5 champion Singer Matthew Cutler 36 (9,9,9,9) Cha-Cha-Cha
Letitia Dean Series 5 fourth place Actress Darren Bennett 36 (9,9,9,9) Foxtrot
Mark Ramprakash Series 4 champion Cricketer Karen Hardy 38 (9,9,10,10) Jive
Matt Di Angelo Series 5 runner-up Actor Flavia Cacace 39 (9,10,10,10) Rumba
Gethin Jones Series 5 third place Blue Peter presenter Camilla Dallerup 40 (10,10,10,10) Waltz
Darren Gough Series 3 champion Cricketer Lilia Kopylova 40 (10,10,10,10) American Smooth

Darren Gough won his third Strictly trophy after winning series 3 and two Christmas Specials. He and Jill Halfpenny are the only ones to do this.

2008

     Winner

     Runner-up

The 2008 Christmas Special aired on 25 December 2008. Tom Chambers, Rachel Stevens and Lisa Snowdon took on former contestants Jill Halfpenny, Alesha Dixon and Kelly Brook. Brian Fortuna partnered Brook due to her original partner Brendan Cole dancing with his more recent partner Lisa Snowdon. Russell Watson made a special guest appearance.[1] The celebrities, their professional partners and dance were announced on 17 December 2008.[2] Due to 4 couples coming top of the leader's board with 39 points, head judge Len was given casting vote on how to break the tie. Therefore points from the judge were awarded as follows before the audience vote: Alesha 6, Jill 5, Rachel 4, Kelly 3, Tom 2, Lisa 1. After the audience vote Jill Halfpenny was named the 2008 Christmas Champion with Kelly Brook in second place, meaning that Jill joined Darren Gough in having won two Christmas specials, and her partner Darren Bennett equalled his professional partner and wife Lilia Kopylova's two Christmas special victories.

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.

Celebrity Position on Strictly Notability Professional Judges' score Dance Song
Lisa Snowdon Series 6 third place TV & radio Presenter Brendan Cole 36 (8,9,9,10) Quickstep "Sleigh Ride"
Tom Chambers Series 6 champion Actor Camilla Dallerup 37 (9,10,9,9) Foxtrot "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer"
Rachel Stevens Series 6 runner-up Former S Club 7 singer Vincent Simone 39 (9,10,10,10) Rumba "2 Becomes 1"
Alesha Dixon Series 5 champion Singer Matthew Cutler 39 (9,10,10,10) Viennese Waltz "White Christmas"
Kelly Brook Series 5 contestant TV presenter & model Brian Fortuna 39 (10,9,10,10) Jive "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
Jill Halfpenny Series 2 champion Actress Darren Bennett 39 (9,10,10,10) American Smooth "My Favourite Things"

2009

     Winner

     Runner-up

The 2009 Christmas Special aired on 25 December 2009. It featured the top three from Series 7 along with former contestants Gethin Jones, Rachel Stevens and Austin Healey. Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli provided the judging. Darcey Bussell didn't judge. After the audience vote Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna were declared champions. Rachel Stevens & Vincent Simone were second.

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli.

Celebrity Position on Strictly Notability Professional Judge's score Dance Song
Chris Hollins Series 7 champion TV presenter Ola Jordan 33 (8,8,9,8) Foxtrot "Santa Baby"
Austin Healey Series 6 fourth place Rugby player Erin Boag 36 (9,9,9,9) Paso Doble "Bohemian Rhapsody"
Ricky Whittle Series 7 second place Actor Natalie Lowe 36 (8,9,10,9) Quickstep "Jingle Bells"
Gethin Jones Series 5 third place Blue Peter presenter Flavia Cacace 38 (9,10,9,10) American Smooth "Baby, It's Cold Outside"
Rachel Stevens Series 6 second place Former S Club 7 singer Vincent Simone 39 (10,10,9,10) Rumba "Miss You Most (At Christmas)"
Ali Bastian Series 7 third place Actress Brian Fortuna 40 (10,10,10,10) Viennese Waltz "Please Come Home For Christmas"

2010

     Winner

The 2010 Christmas Special aired on 25 December 2010. That special, instead of having celebrities from previous years, had five new celebrities who didn't have time to do the full show.

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli.

Celebrity Occupation Professional Judges' scores Dance Song
John Barrowman Singer & actor Kristina Rihanoff 37 (9,9,9,10) Quickstep "Sleigh Ride"
Vince Cable Politician Erin Boag 36 (9,10,8,9) Foxtrot "Winter Wonderland"
Ronni Ancona Actress & impressionist Anton du Beke 28 (6,8,7,7) Viennese Waltz "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"
Fern Britton TV presenter Matthew Cutler 30 (7,8,7,8) Jive "Step into Christmas"
June Brown EastEnders actress Vincent Simone 28 (6,7,8,7) Tango "Never Do a Tango With an Eskimo"

2011

     Winner

The full lineup of the 2011 Christmas special, once again featuring five new celebrities who could not commit to the full series, was announced on 23 November 2011.[3]

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli.

Celebrity Occupation Professional Judges' scores Dance Song
Barry McGuigan Boxer Erin Boag 36 (8,9,10,9) Quickstep "Jingle Bells"
Su Pollard Comedy actress Anton du Beke 30 (6,9,7,8) Foxtrot "White Christmas"
Simon Webbe Blue singer Katya Virshilas 36 (9,9,9,9) Cha Cha Cha "Merry Xmas Everybody"
Debra Stephenson Actress & impressionist Ian Waite 37 (8,9,10,10) American Smooth "Baby, It's Cold Outside"
Charlie Brooks Actress Vincent Simone 37 (9,9,9,10) Jive "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"

2012

     Winner

The full lineup of the 2012 Christmas special, featuring six new celebrities who could not commit to the full series, was announced on 28 November 2012.[4]

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.

Celebrity Occupation Professional Judges' scores Dance Song
J.B. Gill JLS singer Ola Jordan 39 (9,10,10,10) Jive "Rockin' Robin"
Bobby Ball Actor & comedian Katya Virshilas 29 (6,7,8,8) American Smooth "White Christmas"
Sheila Hancock Actress Ian Waite 36 (8,8,10,10) Foxtrot "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
Fabrice Muamba Footballer Aliona Vilani 35 (8,9,9,9) Salsa "Christmas Wrapping"
Katy Brand Comedian Anton du Beke 33 (7,8,9,9) Viennese Waltz "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"
Helen Skelton Blue Peter presenter Artem Chigvintsev 37 (8,9,10,10) Jive "All I Want for Christmas Is You"

A musical interlude was provided by the popular singer Rod Stewart.[5]

As a new addition to the Christmas specials, a "Strictly Allstar" group of seven previous contestants from the show returned for a group dance, and appearances from Ann Widdecombe and Russell Grant were also in the programme.

Celebrity Position on Strictly Professional
Kelly Brook Series 5 contestant Brendan Cole
Tom Chambers Series 6 winner Kristina Rihanoff
Chelsee Healey Series 9 runner-up Pasha Kovalev
Chris Hollins Series 7 winner Ola Jordan
Colin Jackson Series 3 runner-up Erin Boag
Natasha Kaplinsky Series 1 winner Ian Waite
Rachel Stevens Series 6 runner-up Vincent Simone

2013

     Winner

The full lineup of the 2013 Christmas special, featuring six new celebrities who could not commit to the full series, was announced on 25 November 2013.[6]

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.

Celebrity Occupation Professional Judges' scores Dance Song
Ricky Norwood EastEnders actor Janette Manrara 33 (8,8,8,9) Quickstep "Merry Christmas Everyone"
Elaine Paige Singer Pasha Kovalev 39 (10,10,9,10) Cha Cha Cha "Jingle Bells"
Sara Cox TV & radio presenter Robin Windsor 33 (7,8,9,9) Waltz "Silent Night"
Rochelle Humes The Saturdays singer Ian Waite 31 (7,8,8,8) Salsa "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"
Matt Goss Singer Aliona Vilani 35 (8,9,9,9) American Smooth "Winter Wonderland"
Rufus Hound Comedian Flavia Cacace 38 (9,10,9,10) Tango "Never Do a Tango With an Eskimo"

2014

     Winner

The full lineup of the 2014 Christmas special, which in a change to recent tradition, features six returning contestants, was announced on 13 November 2014.

Most of the celebrities were given new partners, with the exception of Lisa Riley, who was reunited with her dance partner, Robin Windsor.[7]

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.

Celebrity Position on Strictly Known for Professional Judges' scores Dance Song
Chris Hollins Series 7 champion TV presenter Iveta Lukosiute 31 (7,8,8,8) Charleston "Sleigh Ride"
Rachel Stevens Series 6 runner-up Former S Club 7 singer Tristan MacManus 38 (9,9,10,10) Viennese Waltz "Please Come Home for Christmas"
Russell Grant Series 9 contestant Astrologer Joanne Clifton 29 (7,8,7,7) Cha-Cha-Cha "Could It Be Magic"
Sophie Ellis-Bextor Series 11 finalist Singer Aljaž Skorjanec 39 (9,10,10,10) American Smooth "White Christmas"
Lisa Riley Series 10 semi-finalist Actress & TV presenter Robin Windsor 32 (8,8,8,8) Jive "Step into Christmas"
Louis Smith Series 10 champion Olympic gymnast Aliona Vilani 40 (10,10,10,10) Quickstep "Jingle Bells"

References

  1. ↑ "Network TV Programme Information BBC One Weeks 52/53". BBC Press Office. 12 October 2007. Retrieved 5 December 2008.
  2. ↑ "Strictly Christmas Special". BBC. 17 December 2008. Retrieved 17 December 2008.
  3. ↑ "Media Centre - Strictly Come Dancing reveals Christmas line-up". BBC. 23 November 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  4. ↑ "Media Centre - Strictly Come Dancing announces celebrity line-up for Christmas Special". BBC. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  5. ↑ "Strictly Come Dancing". Series 10. 25 December 2012. Retrieved 25 December 2012. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ↑ "Media Centre - Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special line-up confirmed". BBC. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  7. ↑ "Strictly Come Dancing 2014: Old favourites including Lisa Riley and Russell Grant to return for the Christmas special | Metro News". Metro.co.uk. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.