Strictly Come Dancing has unveiled the fourth celebrity taking part in this year’s Christmas special.
Soap star Tamzin Outhwaite, best known for playing Mel Owen on EastEnders, will be taking to the dancefloor for the festive episode which will air on BBC One on Christmas Day.
The New Tricks and Hotel Babylon actor will be partnered with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin on the show.
Related: Strictly‘s Sarah Hadland opens up about ‘shock journey’ on show
“I’m so excited to swap the stage for the Strictly Ballroom this Christmas,” she said. “I’m used to performing in front of a live audience, but this is a whole new experience.
“I can’t wait to immerse myself in all things glitter and sequins, let’s hope the judges show Nikita and I some extra festive cheer this Christmas!”
Strictly judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas will be back for the festive episode, critiquing and scoring the celebrity routines on offer.
Related: Strictly confirms week 10 songs and dances
The 2024 Christmas winner will be determined by the studio audience who will vote for their favourite festive routine and dance pairing.
Other celebrities recently announced for the special include presenter Vogue Williams partnered with pro Carlos Gu, Taskmaster‘s Josh Widdicombe with Karen Hauer, Drag Race UK‘s Tayce with Kai Widdrington and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey AKA Nitro with Nancy Xu.
The sixth and final celebrity is set to be unveiled on tomorrow’s (November 21) Strictly: It Takes Two by hosts Janette Manrara and Fleur East.
Outhwaite was last on screens in the Channel 5 drama The Wives starring alongside fellow ex-EastEnders star Jo Joyner and Waterloo Road and Coronation Street legend Angela Griffin.
She also recently appeared in an adaptation of Abigail’s Party at the Theatre Royal Stratford East.
Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturdays on BBC One, while spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows are available to stream on BBC iPlayer. The Christmas special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day.
Interested in talking about Strictly? Visit our dedicated sub-forum
Read more Strictly news on our dedicated homepage
Deputy News Editor, Digital SpyÂ
Emily is an experienced entertainment writer and editor, reporting on all things TV, film, soaps and showbiz. An NCTJ-qualified journalist, with a First Class Honours degree in Journalism from the University of Sussex, Emily has previously worked at Hello magazine, BBC South News and GoodtoKnow. She joined Digital Spy as Acting Deputy News Editor in May 2023, and became Deputy News Editor the following year.
A small and big-screen obsessive – with subscriptions to every TV and film service under the sun – Emily knows her movie stars from soap stars, and is always clued up on the latest reality show dumping, just-dropped trailer or off-screen spat. She’s interviewed a number of celebrities over the years, with highlights including The Masked Singer host Joel Dommett and GMB‘s Kate Garraway (who “loved” her trousers).
Emily counts Sharon Horgan and Julia Davis as her TV heroes, and is a loyal Wes Anderson fan. LinkedIn