Viewers praise festive performances but question BBC decisions as Christmas Day special sparks debate online
Introduction
The Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Christmas Special was meant to be a joyful festive celebration — but eagle-eyed fans were quick to spot what they believe was a major oversight. As the glitterball dust settled on Christmas Day, viewers took to social media to call out a “mistake” in the BBC special and issue a clear demand for future editions.
The episode aired on BBC One at 5:30pm on December 25 and marked an emotional milestone for the long-running show.
A Festive Line-Up Takes to the Dancefloor
This year’s Christmas Special featured six celebrities paired with professional dancers, each performing a festive routine in front of the judges and a studio audience.
The celebrity contestants included Scarlett Moffatt, Melanie Blatt, Jodie Ounsley, Nicholas Bailey, Babatunde Aléshé, and Brian McFadden.
They danced in front of judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and head judge Shirley Ballas.
Emotional Farewell for Tess and Claudia
The 2025 Christmas Special also marked the final time fans saw Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman present the show together.
In a joint statement earlier this year, the pair described hosting Strictly as “an absolute dream” and revealed they had always planned to step away at the same time. Their farewell added an emotional layer to the festive broadcast, with many viewers admitting the episode felt like the end of an era.
A Festive Opening and Strong Performances
The show opened with a festive group routine set to Grown-Up Christmas List by Kelly Clarkson and We Need A Little Christmas from the musical Mame, immediately setting the holiday tone.
Comedian Babatunde Aléshé and professional dancer Nancy Xu were first to perform, delivering a Charleston to Santa Claus Is Coming to Town. The pair scored 35 points, with Craig Revel Horwood praising the timing but noting the routine felt “a little laid back.”
Fans Call Out the ‘Mistake’
While the performances were widely enjoyed, fans watching at home quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice a shared complaint.
Many viewers argued that the BBC had made a “big mistake” by not giving Nancy Xu a celebrity partner during the main Strictly series earlier in the year. Her performance during the Christmas Special reignited frustration among fans who believe she deserves a permanent spot in the flagship competition.
One viewer wrote: “Nancy is a lot of fun. They made a big mistake not giving her a partner in the main series.”
A Clear Demand for Next Year
The criticism quickly turned into a demand, with fans urging the BBC to ensure Nancy Xu is paired with a celebrity in the next full series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Viewers praised her energy, choreography, and on-screen presence, arguing that the Christmas Special proved she has everything needed to be a standout professional dancer throughout an entire season.
A Festive Show That Still Sparked Debate
Despite the festive spirit and emotional goodbyes, the reaction shows how passionately Strictly fans engage with the show — even on Christmas Day.
As the BBC looks ahead to future series without Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman at the helm, viewers are already making their voices heard about what they want to see next.
One thing is clear: while the 2025 Christmas Special delivered sparkle, nostalgia, and strong performances, fans are hoping the lessons from this year won’t be ignored when Strictly returns to the ballroom.
