{"id":40327,"date":"2023-11-22T20:00:42","date_gmt":"2023-11-22T19:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1931878"},"modified":"2023-11-22T20:26:34","modified_gmt":"2023-11-22T19:26:34","slug":"eastenders-jamie-borthwick-newsreader-sally-nugent-join-strictly-christmas-special","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/eastenders-jamie-borthwick-newsreader-sally-nugent-join-strictly-christmas-special\/","title":{"rendered":"EastEnders\u2019 Jamie Borthwick, newsreader Sally Nugent join Strictly Christmas special"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Strictly ballroom will be transformed into a winter wonderland this Christmas. <\/p>

By Katelyn Mensah\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 22 November 2023 at 19:00 PM<\/p>

\n\n

The first three celebrities taking to Strictly Come Dancing<\/a> this Christmas have been revealed, with EastEnders<\/a> star Jamie Borthwick among them.<\/p>\n

This Christmas, the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom we all know and love is going to be transformed into a magical winter wonderland for an all-star Christmas special, with an array of famous faces taking to the dance floor in the hopes of being crowned Christmas Champion 2023.<\/p>\n

Broadcaster Dan Snow is the first celebrity in this year\u2019s Christmas line-up, and he will be paired with Strictly pro Nadiya Bychkova.<\/p>

The history broadcaster and author admitted he is \u201cabsolutely terrified\u201d of hitting the dance floor, but is looking forward to stepping out of his comfort zone.<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to learn how to dance properly. So I thought it was now or never!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Dan\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Dan Snow.<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Sally Nugent was the second Christmas celebrity to be revealed, and she will be dancing with\u00a0Graziano Di Prima.<\/p>\n

The BBC Breakfast host said she is \u201cthrilled and slightly terrified\u201d to be taking part in the special, adding that she hopes the judges will be kind and \u201cfilled with Christmas spirit\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope everyone watching at home will enjoy a little bit of Strictly magic on Christmas night,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n

\"Sally\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Sally Nugent.<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The third celebrity revealed as part of the Christmas line-up was EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick.<\/p>\n

Best known for his portrayal of Jay Brown, Borthwick will be paired with Nancy Xu for the Christmas extravaganza.<\/p>\n

Borthwick said: \u201cI am so excited to be joining the cast of this year\u2019s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special. From Walford to a waltz, I can\u2019t wait to learn a new skill and put my dancing to the test.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m hoping to spread Christmas cheer and have a good laugh with my professional dancer\u2026 Get me on that dance floor!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Jamie\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Jamie Borthwick.<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The three remaining Christmas special celebrities will be revealed on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two on Thursday 23rd November.<\/p>\n

The contestants and their Strictly pros will each perform a \u201cfestive fuelled routine\u201d as they hope to impress judges<\/a> Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas, as well as the studio audience.<\/p>\n

But who will be named the next Strictly Christmas Champion?<\/p>