Comedian and actor Babatunde Aleshe has been announced as the fifth celebrity contestant set to dazzle audiences in this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, joining an increasingly impressive roster of stars ready to compete for the coveted glitterball trophy.
Confirmed Celebrity Lineup Grows
The 41-year-old comedian, best known for his appearances on MTV's Comedy Shutdown and hosting the MOBO Awards, will trade stand-up routines for dance steps when the festive edition airs on BBC One. Aleshe follows previous announcements that saw BBC Radio 2 presenter Keisha Buchanan, former Sugababes star Keisha Buchanan, Channel 4 presenter Steph McGovern, and BBC Breakfast's Sally Nugent confirmed for the special episode.
Aleshe expressed his excitement about joining the competition, acknowledging the challenge ahead while maintaining his characteristic humour. The comedian revealed he's been brushing up on his dance skills in preparation, though he admits the professional standards of Strictly present a significant step up from casual dancing.
Christmas Special Format and Expectations
The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2024 will maintain the traditional format that has made it a holiday viewing staple. Celebrities will be paired with professional dancers to perform festive-themed routines, with judges offering their critiques before viewers ultimately decide the winner.
This year's special continues the show's tradition of filming during the summer months for December broadcast, creating the unique challenge of choreographing winter wonderland performances during potentially warm weather conditions. The production team is renowned for transforming the studio into a Christmas spectacle regardless of the actual season.
While the professional partners for each celebrity remain unconfirmed at this stage, the pairings typically combine contestants with dancers who can either complement or contrast their natural abilities, often creating surprising chemistry on the dancefloor.
Aleshe's Entertainment Background
Babatunde Aleshe brings considerable performance experience to the Strictly ballroom, though he acknowledges dance represents new territory. His background in comedy and presenting suggests he'll likely bring entertainment value and personality to his performance, potentially winning over viewers with charm even if technical precision proves challenging.
The comedian has built a successful career across multiple entertainment platforms, including television presenting, stand-up comedy tours, and radio appearances. His charismatic presence and quick wit should serve him well in the high-pressure Strictly environment, where personality often proves as important as perfect footwork.
With the Christmas Special typically featuring slightly shortened training periods compared to the main series, contestants like Aleshe face an accelerated learning curve. However, the festive edition is generally known for its lighter tone and emphasis on celebration over intense competition.
As the lineup continues to grow, anticipation builds for what promises to be another spectacular festive edition of Britain's favourite dance competition. The remaining celebrity contestants are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, completing the roster that will compete for the Christmas glitterball trophy.
