Strictly 2021: Anne-Marie joins Christmas special line-up

We can't wait for this 🎄

Author: Hannah MellinPublished 26th Nov 2021
Last updated 26th Nov 2021

Singer Anne-Marie has joined the 2021 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special and will try her luck at twirling around the festive dance-floor.

The award-winning pop singer, famous for her hits ‘2002’ and ‘To Be Young’, will be paired with professional dancer, Graziano Di Prima.

Speaking about joining the line-up, Anne-Marie said: “I’m excited to take part in the Strictly Christmas special. I love the show, and who would turn down a dance with Graziano?!”

Anne-Marie will join First Dates star Fred Sirieix, Repair Shop presenter Jay Blades, former Great British Bake Off presenter Mel Giedroyc and journalist Moira Stuart OBE in a big to be crowned Strictly Christmas Champion.

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 celebrities have already been training for the big day, with Jay admitting that he was “aching” already.

Speaking to Rylan Clark-Neal on It Takes Two, he said: "I never knew I had muscles in my toes.

"My toes are killing me! Did you know you have muscles in your toes? It's unbelievable!"

2021 has been a busy year for Anne-Marie, she dropped her acclaimed second studio album ‘Therapy’, released her debut book, You Deserve Better, collaborated with some of the biggest artists in the industry and became a winning coach on ITV’s The Voice.

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.

The final celebrity taking part will be announced in due course.

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will air on BBC One on Christmas Day.

Strictly Come Dancing returns on BBC on Saturday night at 6.40pm.

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'.

Read more:

Strictly Come Dancing 2021: Everything you need to know

Strictly Come Dancing’s Kai and AJ address romance rumours

Why Strictly isn't going to Blackpool this year

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