Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special: Stars, Drama & Wins

The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special was more than festive fun — it was headline gold. From jaw-dropping choreo to historic wins and emotional farewells, fans at home didn’t just watch — they lived every sequin, spin, and score board moment. Here’s the low-down on the biggest talking points from the glitterball-lined dance floor. 

Scarlett Moffatt & Vito Coppola Take the Glitterball Trophy

The biggest buzz of the evening was the crowning of Scarlett Moffatt and pro partner Vito Coppola as winners of the Christmas special. Their knockout Cha-Cha to “DJ Play A Christmas Song” earned them a perfect score from the judges — literally four 10s — and gave fans a moment that lived up to every bit of holiday hype. 

Scarlett called the win “the greatest gift I could have asked for,” and social feeds lit up with cheers, reaction GIFs, and proud fan posts within minutes. 

Star-Studded Lineup Turned Dance Floor Into a Festive Playground

• This year’s special was packed with familiar faces and unexpected turns:
  Babatunde Aléshé and Nancy Xu kicked things off with a Charleston that got everyone smiling.
• Melanie Blatt brought her All Saints star energy with a smooth American routine, while also winning over producers — and possibly earning future Strictly hosting whispers.

• Brian McFadden and partner Michelle Tsiakkas delivered a lively Jive to “Run Rudolph Run” that had holiday vibes buzzing.
• Jodie Ounsley and Neil Jones gave a punchy Street/Commercial routine that had fans clapping along.
• Nicholas Bailey and Luba Mushtuk charmed with an elegant Viennese Waltz to a classic Christmas tune. 

Each performance gave judges and viewers something to talk about long after the final spin.

Tess Daly & Claudia Winkleman’s Emotional Send-Off

Amid all the holiday shimmer, there was a genuine emotional current running through the night. Long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman delivered their final Christmas special together, marking the end of an era beloved by Strictly loyalists. 

The duo enjoyed tributes, a tango moment with professional partner Aljaž Škorjanec, and heartfelt cheers from judges and audiences alike — reminding fans that sometimes even the hosts deserve their own standing ovation.

Festive Highlights That Had Fans Tweeting Fast

Fans weren’t just watching — they reacted. Social timelines filled with memes, split opinions on performances, and warm-hearted nostalgia for the holiday vibes Strictly always brings. Group routines to holiday classics like “Grown Up Christmas List” and “Happy Holiday / Let Yourself Go” capped things with cheer and dance floor unity. 

Every year, Strictly proves it’s not just about technique — it’s about heart, spectacle, and those shared moments that make viewers feel like part of something bigger.

Why This Year’s Special Had Extra Sparkle

Between celebrity performances, perfect scores, the farewell of two legendary hosts, and a winner who seized the night with pure festive energy, this installment of Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special was the gift that kept on giving.

It wasn’t just another holiday special… it was the TV moment everyone talked about around the dinner table.