91Èȱ¬

Strictly Come Dancing returns for a one-off Christmas Special jam-packed with five brand-new celebrities to bring you cheer this festive season.

The five-star line up includes television presenter Fern Britton and her partner Matthew Cutler, legendary EastEnders lynchpin Dot Branning (nee Cotton), actress June Brown, and her partner Vincent Simone, comedy actress Ronni Ancona and her partner Anton du Beke, stage and screen star John Barrowman and his partner Kristina Rihanoff, and completing our fabulous five is The Rt. Hon Vince Cable MP and partner Erin Boag.

This fantastic five will all be performing different dances to impress the Strictly judges and studio audience and sashay home with the coveted Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special trophy. Without a doubt a veritable selection box of tasty dancing treats awaits.

Celebrity contestant, the Rt. Hon Vince Cable said: "I am delighted to be taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special. Strictly has always been a secret, or not so secret, passion of mine. I hope that by taking part in the show I can inspire others to get up and do something they have always wanted to have a go at."

Celebrity contestant, Fern Britton said: "Strictly Come Dancing is my family's favourite programme. I am thrilled to be included in the Christmas line-up. Of course I shall be nervous but I am trying to dilute that with the thought of the fun involved. I am not a trained dancer and only wish to do as well as I can for my professional partner and the Christmas viewers. Oh, and I am really looking forward to the spray tan, false eyelashes and sequins!"

Celebrity contestant, June Brown said: "I'm terrified and apprehensive about what I've let myself in for, I must be barmy and I'm not sure what's come over me… I just hope I can remember the steps to the routines. I'm looking forward to working with the professional dancers and the other contestants."

Celebrity contestant, Ronni Ancona said: "It's a wonderful opportunity to finally have confirmed that I don't actually have two left feet... Just two right ones."

Celebrity contestant, John Barrowman said: "I've watched Strictly since the first series and I'm ecstatic to have been asked to be part of the Christmas Special. I am looking forward to the challenge as it's so different to any of the dancing that I've done before in musicals. But more than anything, I am so looking forward to wearing the costumes. I can guarantee this: there will be sequins."

91Èȱ¬ Head of Entertainment and Events, Katie Taylor said: "Building on the success of the current series of Strictly – that has taken us literally to new heights – I am very excited that this year five fresh celebrities are prepared to don their dancing shoes, show us the cut of their cha-cha-chas and delight 91Èȱ¬ One viewers for Christmas."

Notes to Editors

Strictly Come Dancing is available on 91Èȱ¬ One and 91Èȱ¬ HD, and airs over the Christmas period – date and time to be confirmed.

You can get all the up-to-date gossip on Strictly Come Dancing's sister show It Takes Two, weekdays at 6.30pm on 91Èȱ¬ Two.

For more information and gossip follow us and and visit the 91Èȱ¬'s .

SM4/DM/CK