The glitterball is getting a festive makeover as Strictly Come Dancing has announced its second celebrity for the highly anticipated Christmas Special. Singer Melanie Blatt, who found fame in the 90s with the girl group All Saints, will be trading chart-topping for cha-cha-charming this December.
The 50-year-old star is set to join the previously confirmed Scarlett Moffatt, 35, from Gogglebox, on the famous dance floor. This festive edition promises to bring sparkle and spectacle to Christmas Day television, with filming scheduled for December 9 and the broadcast set for December 25 on BBC One and iPlayer.
Meet the Dancing Duo
Melanie will be partnered with professional dancer Kai Widdrington, 30, who is familiar to viewers from the current main series. Expressing her excitement about the upcoming challenge, Melanie said: 'If you can't have a dance at Christmas, when can you?! I'm so excited to meet Kai and start training to make this a dance to remember.'
Best known for her time in All Saints alongside bandmates Natalie Appleton, Nicole Appleton, and Shaznay Lewis, Melanie was part of the group responsible for massive hits like 'Never Ever' and 'Pure Shores'. The band had several successful runs between 1993 and 2022.
A Festive Finale for Beloved Hosts
This year's special holds particular significance as it will mark the final time that hosting duo Tess Daly, 56, and Claudia Winkleman, 53, present the show together after an incredible 14-year partnership. The full judging panel, including Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke, will also return to deliver their expert critiques and scores.
Meanwhile, fellow contestant Scarlett Moffatt, who was the first celebrity confirmed for the special, will be dancing with professional Vito Coppola. The TV personality brings prior dance experience to the competition, having been a semi-professional dancer as a child.
Six celebrities in total will compete for the coveted Glitterball Trophy in what promises to be a memorable addition to the nation's Christmas Day viewing traditions.
