The BBC has announced another exciting name for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special, with Gladiators star Jodie Ounsley confirmed as the third celebrity to join the festive line-up.
Meet the Contestant: Jodie 'Fury' Ounsley
The 24-year-old athlete, better known to millions as Fury on the rebooted Gladiators show, will be one of six stars competing for the coveted glitterball trophy in the special episode airing on Christmas Day. The announcement was made on Monday's episode of the sister show, Strictly: It Takes Two.
Jodie, who is profoundly deaf and received a cochlear implant as a child, making her one of the youngest in the UK to have the procedure, expressed her excitement. 'I’m absolutely buzzing to be doing the Strictly Christmas Special,' she said. 'Being the first female rugby player means a lot to me too. I honestly can’t wait to get stuck in, I’m used to smashing into people so this is definitely going to be a challenge!'
She will be hitting the dance floor with professional partner Neil Jones. Jodie's background is in high-impact sports; she is a former rugby union player and a jiu jitsu champion.
A Festive Finale for Hosts and a Star-Studded Line-Up
This year's special will mark a significant moment for the show's long-standing hosts. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will oversee the festivities for their final time before quitting after an incredible 21 years at the helm.
The judging panel will feature the familiar faces of Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke. However, in a twist for the Christmas special, it will be the voting studio audience who ultimately decide the winner.
Jodie joins the previously announced celebrities for the festive special:
- Scarlett Moffatt: The former Gogglebox and I'm A Celebrity winner will be paired with professional dancer Vito Coppola. She is no stranger to dance, having been a semi-professional dancer as a child.
- Melanie Blatt: The 50-year-old singer, who shot to fame in the 90s as part of the group All Saints, will be dancing with Kai Widdrington.
Strictly Connections and Key Details
This will not be the first time a Gladiator has graced the Strictly ballroom. During the main 2024 series, Jodie's co-star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (Nitro) was partnered with Karen Hauer but was eliminated in week 7. Another Gladiator, Montell Douglas (Fire), competed in the main series last year, making it to week ten with Johannes Radebe.
The remaining three celebrities for the 2025 Christmas special will be announced throughout this week on Strictly: It Takes Two at 6:30pm on BBC Two.
Filming for the special is scheduled for December 9, with the finished show set to bring sparkle to our screens on December 25 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
