Strictly Come Dancing's full Christmas line-up has been revealed(Image: BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas line-up complete as Brian McFadden signs up

An ex-boy band member joins a Gogglebox star, Nineties pop star, a Gladiator, EastEnders legend and comedian for this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special

by · The Mirror

The final star to appear on this year's Strictly Come Dancing special has been revealed - and it's a former boy band member.

Westlife's Brian McFadden will be taking to the dance floor. Though there had been rumours he was joining the 2025 festive line-up of the BBC show, the news was formally announced on tonight's Strictly spin-off, It Takes Two.

Host Janette Manrara told viewers: "Who is the sixth and final celebrity? It's Brian McFadden! What a line-up!" The singer will be dancing with pro Michelle Tsiakkas. Asked how he felt about taking part, Brian said: "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."

Brian, 45, - who has previously been a contestant on Dancing on Ice - will be in rehearsals while his former bandmates go on tour without him. The singer quit the Irish boy band back in 2004 when Westlife were at the height of their fame.

Formeer Westlife star Brian McFadden completes the Strictly Christmas line-up( Image: WireImage)

At the time, he was married to first wife Kerry Katona, now 45, who he shares two daughters - Molly, 24, and Lilly-Sue, 22 with. Back then he told fans he was quitting to spend more time with his family and explained: "To be honest for the last year, especially since Lilly was born, I haven't really been able to commit 100 per cent to Westlife and I haven't been able to commit 100 per cent to my family, so I kind of felt it was unfair to both. I felt it was the right time to stand back."

But his romance with Kerry didn't last, and they divorced in 2006. Brian went on to marry Irish broadcaster Vogue Williams, who is now married to Made In Chelsea's Spencer Matthews and is currently starring in I'm A Celebrity... Get me Out Of Here!

The pair were together until 2017. These days, he is married to his 'soulmate' Danielle Parkinson, with whom he tied the knot earlier this year. A former PE teacher, Manchester native Danielle is now a lifestyle blogger, and the loved-up couple share a four-year-old daughter named Ruby Jean.

Career-wise, Brian went solo for a bit after Westlife. He's also had stints doing TV and radio presenting in both Australia and his native Ireland. These days he's back making music and has joined forces with Keith Duffy from rival Irish boyband Boyzone in 2016. The pair now perform together as Boyzlife.

Who else is on the Strictly 2025 Christmas line up?

Scarlett Moffatt

Scarlett Moffatt was the first celeb to be announced for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special( Image: BBC)

Gogglebox legend and I'm A Celebrity winner Scarlett Moffatt was confirmed to be the first celebrity taking part in the Strictly festive special and has been paired up with professional dancer Vito Coppola.

The 35-year-old said: "Strictly has always held a special place in my heart, so being part of the Christmas Special feels truly magical.

"It's the show that brings everyone together around the TV, and being part of that is a genuine personal and career highlight. I'm sure it'll also introduce me to a few muscles I didn’t know I had. I can’t wait to live my best life on that dance floor."

Melanie Blatt

All Saints legend Melanie Blatt was the second celeb to be announced( Image: Instagram/bbcstrictly)

The second star to be confirmed is All Saints singer Melanie Blatt. The 50-year-old Never Ever songstress also works as a chef these days and recently had a pop up in a London pub.

But she'll be swapping the kitchen for the dance floor as she's been partnered with Kai Widdrington for the Christmas special.

Sharing a quick clip to her Instagram stories of herself in a rehearsal room, Mel walked up to a mirror and grinned while she waved at the camera on her phone. Over the top of the video, she added: "It's happening."

Nicholas Bailey

EastEnders legend Nicholas Bailey will also take to the dance floor( Image: BBC)

EastEnders star Nicholas Bailey has also signed up for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special and has been paired with pro dancer Luba Mushtuk.

The 54-year-old actor is best known for having starred as Anthony Trueman on the BBC soap but is swapping Albert Square for the festive ballroom when the Yuletide edition of the competition airs later this year.

Jodie Ounsley

Rugby star Jodie Ounsley - who is also known as Fury from Gladiators - is also in the line-up( Image: BBC)

Jodie Ounsley - who is better known as Fury from Gladiators - will also be strutting her stuff on the Strictly dance floor this festive season with pro partner Neil Jones.

When the news was announced, the 24-year-old said: "I’m absolutely buzzing to be doing the Strictly Christmas special. Being the first female rugby player means a lot to me too. I honestly can’t wait to get stuck in, I’m used to smashing into people so this is definitely going to be a challenge!"

Babatunde Aléshé

Actor and comedian Babatunde Aléshé is partnered with Nancy Xu( Image: Getty Images)

Actor and comedian Babatunde Aléshé is no stranger to a reality show, having appeared on Taskmaster, I'm A Celebrity and as a regular on Celebrity Gogglebox.

But the 39-year-old will be hoping he'll be dancing off with the Strictly glitterball this Christmas alongside pro partner Nancy Xu. And he's already been boasting about his moves.

He said: "I used to do a little dancing when I was in college. I used to do Street Locking and Break Dancing, but then I found comedy and pursued that instead. At 39 I’ve accepted that a good two-step is all I need to get by at any function, but I know that won’t be enough for Strictly! Let’s hope the old moves come back to me in time for Christmas."

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