When was BBC Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special filmed?

While it's only been just over a week since we waved goodbye to this year's Strictly Come Dancing, the glitz and the glamour has tripled just in time for the festivities thanks to the BBC Christmas special.

Households across Britain can once again cosy up to this feel-good show after eating one too many pigs in blankets for Christmas dinner.

This year's special will see six celebrity contestants take on the ballroom, all while setting their sights on that festive Glitterball.

Racing car driver Billy Monger will be partnered up with Nadiya Bychkova, who joined the line-up as he "thought it'd be nice to do something a little bit more creative." Nadiya was last paired with Gavin and Stacey actor Larry Lamb in the 2022 Christmas special, although the pair lost to Alexandra Mardell and Kai Widdrington.

Speaking of Kai, the professional dancer wasn't partnered with anyone in Strictly's main series this year, but he'll also be making a return to the dancefloor with drag queen Tayce.

Tayce is making Strictly history by being the first drag artist to appear on the show, and is hoping to "pave the way to more drag icons partaking in the show."

With Gladiator star Montell Douglas starring in the main series of Strictly this year, fans of the show will be pleased that her co-Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey will be dancing with Nancy Xu on Christmas Day.

Other contestants include Eastenders actress Tamzin Outhwaite who is partnered with Nikita Kuzmin, and the Irish model and TV presenter Vogue Williams who will be gracing the dancefloor with Gorka Marquez.

The Last Leg presenter Josh Widdicombe will also be dancing with festive glee alongside professional partner Karen Hauer. When speaking about why he did Strictly Christmas, Josh joked: "My daughter. And my dreams of being Billy Elliot."

When was the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special filmed?

Fortunately for the stars, they don't have to give up their Christmas Day and dance live as the show was pre-recorded on December 3. This means no live voting from the audience at home.

Last year's Strictly Christmas saw Eastenders actor Jamie Borthwick take the crown alongside Nancy Xu. Of course, he then featured in the main series this year with professional partner Michelle Tsiakkkas, but the star was sadly eliminated in week ten after losing to Montell Douglas and dancer Johannes Radebe.