The glittering Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special crowned its champion on Christmas Day, delivering an emotional farewell to its long-standing hosts. TV personality Scarlett and her professional partner Vito Coppola lifted the coveted Christmas Star Trophy after earning a perfect score from the judges.
A Festive Finale for Beloved Hosts
The 2025 festive special, which aired on BBC One on December 25th, was a landmark episode. It served as the final hosting duty for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who announced their departure from the flagship show earlier this year. Their exit adds a poignant layer to this year's Christmas celebration, marking the end of an era for the beloved ballroom programme.
The show opened with a spectacular group performance to Grown Up Christmas List and We Need A Little Christmas, setting a joyful tone. Six celebrity contestants and their professional partners competed for the trophy, each performing a festive-themed routine.
The Road to Victory: Scores and Performances
The competition was fierce, with several pairs coming close to the top spot. Comedian Babatunde Aléshé and Nancy Xu scored 35 for their Charleston to Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Melanie Blatt of All Saints and Kai Widdrington earned 36 points for their American Smooth to Santa Baby.
Jodie Ounsley (Gladiators' Fury) and Neil Jones performed a Street Commercial to Red Christmas, securing 37 points. Former Westlife singer Brian McFadden and Michelle Tsiakkas impressed with a Jive to Run Run Rudolph, scoring an excellent 39 out of 40.
EastEnders actor Nicholas Bailey and Luba Mushtuk also scored 39 for their elegant Viennese Waltz to It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year. However, it was Scarlett and Vito who stole the show with a dazzling Cha Cha to Cher's DJ Play A Christmas Song, receiving a flawless 40 points from the judges.
A Perfect Score Seals the Win
The final result combined the judges' scores with the votes of the studio audience. This combination confirmed Scarlett and Vito as the clear winners of the 2025 Christmas special.
Upon receiving the trophy, an elated Scarlett said, "This is amazing! I feel like I should have prepared a speech! This is honestly the greatest gift that could have ever happened at Christmas. We’ve all just had the best time!"
The episode concluded with a grand closing number to Happy Holiday / Let Yourself Go from White Christmas, featuring all the celebrities, pros, and even the judging panel. This festive finale served as a fitting send-off for hosts Tess and Claudia, as the Strictly hosting baton now prepares to be passed to new hands in the future.
