Strictly: The Christmas Countdown - everything you need to know

There is more Strictly sparkle heading to our screens this Christmas...

Strictly: The Christmas Countdown will be bringing magic and sparkle to BBC1 this festive season, promising to be one of the highlights of the Christmas TV schedule.

While it is always sad when another series of Strictly Come Dancing comes to an end, there is always the promise of a Christmas special to keep us happy.

Here is everything you need to know about this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special...

More: Kirstie's Handmade Christmas 2020 - start date, crafts and star guests

What is Strictly: The Christmas Countdown?

This very special stand-alone episode of Strictly Come Dancing will be a little different to Christmas specials from the past.

Instead of new couples taking to the dance floor to battle it out for the glitter ball trophy, this year's special will give fans a chance to take a look back at the highlights of the show since it started.

Presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly will be back to count down the 25 most memorable dances of all time, voted for by the public.

But it's not just the dances that scored perfect 40s that will be earning themselves a place in the lineup.

There will also be dances that made us laugh, made us cry, and dances that we still remember years later.

But which dance from Strictly history will be crowned the most memorable performance of all time?

When is Strictly: The Christmas Countdown on TV?

Strictly Come Dancing's festive offering will be aired on Christmas Day at 4.45 on BBC One.

The episode will run alongside other Christmas specials such as The Vicar of Dibley, Call the Midwife, Doctor Who, Ghosts, The Serpent and Black Narcissus.

Is there a Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special this year?

Strictly: The Christmas Countdown will be airing instead of the usual Strictly Come Dancing episode.

This change is due to the restrictions put in place for filming due to the current pandemic.

Will the judges be back for Strictly: The Christmas Countdown?

Tess and Claudia will be joined by the judges for this festive episode, along with other familiar faces from the Strictly family. There will also be a fabulous Christmas-themed group dance to look forward to.

Strictly: The Christmas Countdown will air over Christmas on BBC1.

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Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia.

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off.

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz!

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.