# Strictly Come Dancing Revives Classic Format for 2026 Christmas Special The BBC confirms a shift to featuring former contestants for the festive episode. - **Source:** [HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk) - **Published:** 2026-11-02 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/4de33367-244a-4ef6-bf50-4c4cf0f9b59e ## Strategic Format Shift The BBC has officially announced a return to a classic format for the 2026 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special. After years of featuring new celebrities in one-off appearances, the production team is pivoting. This year, the festive line-up will exclusively consist of former contestants who previously competed but failed to win the Glitterball Trophy. ## Operational Production Details The upcoming special will require participants to perform brand new festive-themed routines alongside their original professional partners. Beyond individual performances, the cast will engage in synchronized opening and closing group numbers. While the specific roster remains unconfirmed, the BBC has promised to release the full list of returning celebrities and partners in due course. ## Historical Context of Specials Recent Christmas episodes have traditionally served as a platform for new talent, with figures like Scarlett Moffatt, Tayce, and Anne-Marie securing victories. The show has historically used these specials to test potential future presenters, as seen with Josh Widdicombe, who performed in 2024 before being unveiled as a new host two years later. ## Current Competition Status Before the festive special airs, the main series must conclude its current season. There are currently 10 couples remaining in the competition following the recent elimination of Lawrence Robb. The show continues to air on Saturday nights at 6.30pm on BBC One, maintaining its established weekly broadcast schedule for the viewing audience. ## Recent Halloween Twist The competition recently introduced a significant structural change during its Halloween spooktacular. For the first time, three couples were placed in the dance-off simultaneously. The judges were tasked with voting for who to send home rather than who to save, marking a departure from the standard elimination process used in previous series. ## Elimination and Judging Dynamics Lawrence Robb and his professional partner, Jowita Przystał, were eliminated after landing in the bottom three. The judges opted to save fellow actors Jaime Winstone and Bethany Antonia instead. This specific elimination highlights the increased pressure on contestants as the show narrows down the field toward the final stages of the current season. ## Navigating Public Scrutiny The production team is currently managing various external narratives, including controversies regarding BBC censorship of pro-trans messages. Additionally, the network has publicly addressed claims concerning potential tweaks to the presenting line-up. These operational challenges occur alongside the ongoing production of the main series and the planning for the upcoming festive special. ## Strategic Value of Nostalgia By bringing back former contestants, the BBC leverages established audience familiarity to drive engagement during the holiday season. This approach minimizes the risk associated with introducing unknown talent while maximizing viewer retention. The decision reflects a broader strategy of utilizing legacy content to maintain the show's cultural relevance in a competitive television landscape. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/strictly-come-dancing-christmas-special-2026_uk_6ae86659e4b0283c4577a700 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._