Strictly 2021: Mel Giedroyc joins Christmas special
She will twirl around the festive dance-floor
Last updated 24th Nov 2021
Former Great British Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc has joined the line-up for 2021’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.
The TV presenter, writer and author will be paired with professional Neil Jones for the festive special that will be broadcast on Christmas Day. She is best known for her work with comedy partner Sue Perkins, but has also presented the Eurovision selection show You Decide, the BBC’s Children In Need telethon and the reality show Let It Shine.
Mel, who has a self-confessed Strictly obsession, revealed: “I don’t think I’ve been this excited about Christmas since I got my first guinea-pig from Santa in 1978.”
The news was announced on Tuesday’s episode of Strictly: It Takes Two where she appeared as a guest with Neil and joked to host Rylan: “I’m worried about the bunions, the hernia, the pelvic floor – and going blank.”
The pair also told Rylan that they had just come from training and Mel admitted that even that made her “nervous”.
Check out the celebs taking to the dance floor for the Strictly Christmas special 2021:
Jay Blades
Jay Blades MBE is a modern furniture restorer and presenter. He is best known for presenting The Repair Shop, Jay's Yorkshire Workshop; Money for Nothing and Jay Blades' Home Fix.
Fred Sirieix
Fred Sirieix is a TV personality, author and maître d'hôtel, known for his role on Channel 4's First Dates and the spin-off show, First Dates Hotel.
Mel Giedroyc
Mel Giedroyc is an actress, comedian, writer, television and radio presenter. Famously she has presented BBC's Children In Need, Eurovision and The Great British Bake Off with comedy partner Sue Perkins.
Anne-Marie
The award-winning pop singer is famous for her hits '2002' and 'To Be Young'. In 2021, she dropped her second studio album, 'Therapy'.
Moira Stuart
Moira Stuart is a multi-award-winning newsreader, and programme presenter on TV and radio. Her career in radio and television spans five decades.
Adrian Chiles
TV presenter Adrian Chiles was the final celeb announced for the festive line-up!
The show will see six celebrities twirl around the dancefloor in a bid to impress judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and head judge Shirley Ballas, as well as the audience who will also get to vote.
Mel joins First Dates star Fred Sirieix, who will be partnered with Diane Buswell and Repair Shop presenter Jay Blades, who is in the professional hands of Luba Mushtuk.
The remaining three stars will be announced “in due course”.
Check out all the celebrities who turned down Strictly Come Dancing:
Michelle Keegan
Despite bosses being eager to get Michelle Keegan on the show, the former Coronation Street actress had to turn down the proposition due to her ITV contract at the time.
She's since revealed she's been asked a number of times to appear, but she's always turned it down because she's too 'nervous' with the live audience.
However, she was in the audience when her husband Mark Wright appeared in 2014.
Noel Gallagher
Noel Gallagher was approached by bosses not long after Oasis split. However, much to EVERYBODY'S disappointment, the singer turned them down.
Jodie Comer
Killing Eve actress Jodie Comer was reportedly asked to sign up for the show in 2018, but the Liverpudlian said she didn't want to 'embarrass' herself!
Fast-forward to 2020 and Jodie was also favourite to appear, but that didn't happen either!
Louis Walsh
After being axed from The X Factor by Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh was offered a slot on Strictly. He said in an interview at the time, "The day before the call from The X Factor, I got a call to be a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. I thought, 'I'd love to do it, just to annoy Simon'."
Piers Morgan
There's no doubt that controversial TV host Piers Morgan would get people talking on the show. But he's previously turned it down saying, "They've offered me vast sums of money to go and humiliate myself on national TV. But I prefer to do it with a bottle of Jack Daniel's in the privacy of my own home."
Mel C
Former Spice Girls singer Mel C reportedly turned down an offer for Strictly due to the 's--t pay'. She said, "The problem is if you do Strictly it's so high profile and you'll find yourself in the news every day. And the money's s---."
Nadiya Hussain
She's the Queen of Bake-Off, but star baker Nadiya Hussain turned down a spot on the 2018 series after admitting she likes to enjoy the show with her family.
Sir Patrick Stewart
Actor Sir Patrick Stewart admitted he would have taken part in the show in the early years, but not so much now.
David Harewood
Homeland actor David Harewood turned down the show in 2013, the reason... because he didn't fancy wearing spandex!
Maya Jama
The Circle host Maya Jama was a firm-favourite to appear on the 2018 series of Strictly. However, Maya turned it down after admitting "now isn't the right time".
Pippa Middleton
After stealing the show at her sister Kate Middleton's wedding to Prince William, Strictly bosses were keen to sign up Pippa, even offering her a five-figure sum.
Bradley Wiggins
Olympic legend Bradley wiggins is used to wearing tight-fitting clothing for his sport, but the cyclist didn't seem keen on sparkly lycra!
Mel Giedroyc
Former host of The Great British Bake-Off Mel Giedroyc is such a big fan of Strictly, she admitted she didn't want to 'spoil it' by taking part.
Alan Titchmarsh
Popular TV personality Alan Titchmarsh has turned down the show a number of times, adding, "I'd rather be either interviewing someone or teaching people how to grow things or whatever".
Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill
After her amazing success for Team GB at the Olympics, Strictly bosses were keen to get Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill on the show.
However, she turned it down, adding, "I've been asked to do it a few times and I love watching it, but I'm not sure. I would be terrible. I'm not ready for Strictly. I'll stick to my cycle and a bit of running here and there, I think."
Noel Edmonds
Former Deal or no Deal host Noel Edmonds turned down a slot on the show due to the famous 'Strictly curse'.
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will air on BBC One on Christmas Day.
Read more:
Why Strictly isn't going to Blackpool this year
Kevin Clifton hints at Strictly Come Dancing return
The Great British Bake Off: 17 things you didn't know about the hit series