Brian McFadden confirmed as final star on Strictly Christmas Special

Brian McFadden has been confirmed as the sixth and final celebrity starring in this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.

The former Westlife star, 45, will be taking to the famous ballroom floor next month with professional dancer Michelle Tsiakkas.

The news that he was was joining star-studded line-up was formally announced on Wednesday's episode of Strictly spin-off, It Takes Two, by host Janette Manrara.

Speaking about how he felt about taking part, Brian admitted being 'really excited' and explained that he was keen to sign-up because his youngest daughter, Ruby, four was a huge fan of the show.

He said: 'I'm delighted to be a part of the Strictly Christmas special. We are big fans of Strictly in our house so to be dancing on Christmas Day on such a magical show will make it a Christmas to remember.

'I was really excited because my little daughter Ruby is absolutely obsessed with Strictly this year. So as soon as she comes home from school, it’s back on. We watch Saturday’s and Sunday’s every single day, so we’ve really got into it. 

'And then when I got the phone call to do the Christmas Special, I was like "you’ve got to be kidding!" So our household is so excited right now, they’re even watching at home.' 

The singer also praised his dance partner Michelle, 30, as he admitted: 'I'm very excited. But I'm getting a bit older and I'm not as fit as I used to be, but Michelle is an incredible teacher - she's brilliant.'

Filming for the BBC show will take place on December 9 and will be on our screens on Christmas Day.

Brian will be joined by a host of other celebrities vying for the festive glitterball trophy, including comedian Babatúndé Aleshe, EastEnders star Nicholas Bailey, All Saints singer Melanie Blatt, television personality Scarlett Moffatt, and Gladiator Jodie Ounsley. 

And looking at the impressive line-up, the Irish musician admitted he's up against some strong competition, but that he was pleased to have gotten to mingle with a fellow 90s pop star.

He said: 'I actually bumped into Mel the other day when we were rehearsing. So I haven’t seen Mel since way back in the kind of ’90s pop days. So it was lovely to see her. 

'But look at that line-up. I know Scarlett’s supposed to be an amazing dancer. I’ve heard that she’s incredible.

Brian shocked fans when he quit boyband Westlife back in 2004 at the height of the group's popularity.

The group carried on as a quartet made up of Nicky, Shane Filan, Markus Feehily and Kian Egan and continue to perform together to this day.

After leaving Westlife, Brian released his debut solo album Irish Son in November 2004 which featured the number one single Real To Me.

He later parted ways with his record label and has released four more solo albums over the years, the most recent Otis came out in 2019.

Back in 2013, Brian insisted he had no regrets about leaving Westlife but was sorry he missed out on the financial windfall of the band who continued to enjoy great success after his departure.

Speaking to Daily Mail, he said: 'I'd never admit to myself that I regretted leaving, but four years later when my UK record label didn't want to put out my second solo album, it made me think maybe I should have just stayed in the band.

'But then I'd just have been staying for the money and I never did this for the money.

'I probably had financial regrets. We didn't even know what we used to earn in Westlife. The accountants just kept adding up. I'm glad I'm not that millionaire any more. This way, you work harder and enjoy it more.

'The pleasure I have had since leaving keeps me alive, though it's been a rollercoaster. One minute I'll have a number one single, then I'll have a single that doesn't even make the Top 40, then I'll think I'm finished and then I come back a couple of years later.

'In Westlife, we went through a stage where we thought we were invincible. We didn't realise how lucky we were.'

Brian has since teamed up with former Boyzone star Keith Duffy to form Boyzlife, with the pair releasing their debut album Strings Attached in 2020.

This year, the duo kicked off their global tour across the UK, US, New Zealand, Australia, and Denmark, which is set to wrap up in Dublin on April 3 next year.

Viewers will be happy to know that Tess Daly, 56, and Claudia Winkleman, 53, will be hosting the Strictly special for one final time, after it was revealed that the pair were leaving the show after 14 years of presenting together. 

Judges Shirley Ballas, 65, Craig Revel Horwood, 60, Motsi Mabuse, 44, and Anton Du Beke, 59, will also be back to give their critique and scoring. 

Scarlett was the first star to be confirmed and will be paired with professional dancer Vito Coppola, while Melanie will be dancing alongside Kai Widdrington.

Gladiators star Jodie was announced as the third celebrity joining the lineup, paired with Neil Jones, followed by Nicholas with pro dancer Luba Mushtuk and Babatunde in a couple with Nancy Xu.

2025 STRICTLY COME DANCING CHRISTMAS SPECIAL LINE-UP

SCARLETT MOFFATT 

 AGE: 35

PROFESSION: Television presenter

PARTNER: Vito Coppola

JODIE OUNSLEY

AGE: 24

PROFESSION: Gladiator

PARTNER: Neil Jones

BABATUNDE ALESHE 

AGE: 39

PROFESSION: Comedian

PARTNER: Nancy Xu

 MELANIE BLATT

AGE: 50

PROFESSION: All Saints singer

PARTNER: Kai Widdrington

NICHOLAS BAILEY

AGE: 54

PROFESSION: EastEnders actor

PARTNER: Luba Mushtuk

BRIAN MCFADDEN

AGE: 45

PROFESSION: Westlife singer

PARTNER: Michelle Tsiakkas