Strictly Come Dancing returns to the Ballroom for an all-star Christmas special as six brand new celebrity contestants take to the floor in a bid to be crowned Christmas Champion 2022.

Each of the six couples will perform a Christmas inspired routine with the hope of impressing the judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, Head Judge Shirley Ballas, and the voting audience. But who will lift the coveted Strictly Come Dancing Christmas trophy?

Nicola Roberts is the fifth celebrity confirmed for the Christmas special, produced by BBC Studios. Nicola will be paired with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Giovanni Pernice.

Nicola Roberts is best known for being one fifth of Girls Aloud, who were formed 20 years ago this Christmas. The band achieved a record breaking 20 consecutive Top 10 singles and won a Brit Award for their number one single The Promise. In 2011 Nicola co-wrote and released her debut solo album Cinderella’s Eyes. She is also an actress and prior to covid striking made her Westend debut in City of Angels. Nicola presented a critically acclaimed BBC Three documentary Nicola Roberts: The Truth About Tanning and successfully advocated for a ban on underage usage of tanning beds. In 2020 she was crowned the winner of the first series of ITV’s The Masked Singer UK.

Nicola says: “It’s truly an honour to be part of Strictly, but to be invited on to the prestigious Christmas day episode is something very special indeed. They’ve promised me extra glitter, sparkle and frosting all wrapped up together with a big bow on top. What more could a girl wish for at Christmas!”

The news was revealed this morning on BBC Radio 2 on Zoe Ball’s Breakfast Show.

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day.