Since the inception of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, several special editions of the show have been transmitted by the BBC each year. These have included seasonal specials, charity specials, and variations of the Strictly Come Dancing format.

Christmas Specials The Christmas Specials of Strictly Come Dancing have been aired each year since 2004. Between 2004 and 2009, the specials feature celebrities from the current and past series. Between 2010 and 2013 and 2021 onwards, the specials featured celebrities who were unable to compete in the main series due to time constrictions. From 2014 to 2019, the specials again featured contestants from previous series. With their professional dance partners, the celebrities perform their chosen Ballroom or Latin dance which is scored by the judges. The winning couple is then chosen by a studio audience vote.

Year 2004 Jill Halfpenny & Darren Bennett Natasha Kaplinsky & Brendan Cole 2005 Darren Gough & Lilia Kopylova Zoë Ball & Ian Waite 2006 Colin Jackson & Erin Boag 2007 Darren Gough & Lilia Kopylova Gethin Jones & Camilla Dallerup 2008 Jill Halfpenny & Darren Bennett Kelly Brook & Brian Fortuna 2009 Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna Rachel Stevens & Vincent Simone 2010 John Barrowman & Kristina Rihanoff rowspan=16 2011 Charlie Brooks & Vincent Simone 2012 J.B. Gill & Ola Jordan 2013 Rufus Hound & Flavia Cacace 2014 Louis Smith & Aliona Vilani 2015 Harry Judd & Joanne Clifton 2016 Melvin Odoom & Janette Manrara 2017 Katie Derham & Brendan Cole 2018 Aston Merrygold & Janette Manrara 2019 Debbie McGee & Kevin Clifton 2020 2021 Anne-Marie & Graziano Di Prima 2022 Alexandra Mardell & Kai Widdrington 2023 Jamie Borthwick & Nancy Xu 2024 Tayce & Kai Widdrington 2025 Scarlett Moffatt & Vito Coppola

2004 The first Christmas special was broadcast live on 22 December 2004, featuring top couples from both of the first two series (with the exception of Christopher Parker and Julian Clary, who were not able to appear). The special was won by Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennett.

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.

Celebrity Position on Strictly Professional Judges' scores DanceMartin Offiah Spring 2004 contestant Erin Boag 26 (6,6,7,7) JiveAled Jones Autumn 2004 semi-finalist Lilia Kopylova 30 (7,7,8,8) SambaLesley Garrett Spring 2004 semi-finalist Anton du Beke 31 (7,8,8,8) WaltzNatasha Kaplinsky Spring 2004 winner Brendan Cole 33 (7,8,9,9) FoxtrotDenise Lewis Autumn 2004 runner-up Ian Waite 37 (9,9,9,10) QuickstepJill Halfpenny Autumn 2004 winner Darren Bennett 36 (9,9,9,9) Jive

2005 The 2005 Christmas special, broadcast on 24 December, featured the top four couples (Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova, Colin Jackson and Erin Boag, Zoë Ball and Ian Waite, James Martin and Camilla Dallerup) from that year's series competing against two competitors from the US version, Dancing with the Stars, who danced with two professionals from the British series. The two competitors from the US series were Rachel Hunter, who was teamed with Brendan Cole, and Evander Holyfield, who danced with Karen Hardy. Series 2 winner Jill Halfpenny was scheduled to appear with her partner Darren Bennett, but pulled out due to a breakdown in fee negotiations.

Individual judges' scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.

Celebrity Position on Strictly Professional Judges' scores DanceEvander Holyfield Dancing with the Stars 2005 contestant Karen Hardy 22 (3,5,7,7) JiveRachel Hunter Dancing with the Stars 2005 contestant Brendan Cole 36 (9,9,9,9) RumbaZoë Ball Strictly 2005 third place Ian Waite 38 (9,9,10,10) FoxtrotJames Martin Strictly 2005 fourth place Camilla Dallerup 37 (8,10,10,9) FoxtrotColin Jackson Strictly 2005 second place Erin Boag 35 (9,8,9,9) Cha-Cha-ChaDarren Gough Strictly 2005 winner Lilia Kopylova 40 (10,10,10,10) Quickstep

As well as winning the 2005 series, Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova won this Christmas Special after receiving the full 40 marks from the judges.

2006 The 2006 Christmas special featured stars from the third and fourth series of Strictly going head to head to perform their highest-scoring dances. The theme of the special was black and white, with all the dancers dressed in white gowns, black dresses and top hats and tails.

It was a pre-recorded show shown on Christmas Day on BBC One.

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.

Celebrity Position on Strictly Professional Judges' scores DanceLouisa Lytton 2006 quarter-finalist Vincent Simone 36 (9,9,9,9) JiveMark Ramprakash 2006 winner Karen Hardy 36 (9,9,9,9) SalsaEmma Bunton 2006 third place Darren Bennett 36 (9,9,9,9) SambaMatt Dawson 2006 runner-up Lilia Kopylova 37 (9,9,10,9) WaltzZoë Ball 2005 third place Ian Waite 38 (9,10,9,10) RumbaColin Jackson 2005 runner-up Erin Boag 40 (10,10,10,10) Quickstep

After the combined scores of the judges' marks and the votes of the studio audience, Colin Jackson and Erin Boag won the competition after getting the full 40 marks from the judges, with Zoë Ball and Ian Waite as runners up. The final places of the bottom four couples were not announced — they were eliminated from the competition in random order.

2007 The 2007 Christmas special featured the top four couples from series five (Alesha Dixon, Matt Di Angelo, Gethin Jones and Letitia Dean), as well as Darren Gough and Mark Ramprakash (champions of series three and four respectively). The winner was series three champion Darren Gough, who received a perfect 40 for his American Smooth and had the highest score overall when the judges' scores were combined with the studio audience vote. Series five semi-finalist Gethin Jones, who also received a perfect 40 for his waltz, was runner-up. The final placing of the bottom four couples was not announced.

It was broadcast on BBC One on Christmas Day (25 December 2007).

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.

Celebrity Position on Strictly Professional Judges' scores DanceAlesha Dixon 2007 winner Matthew Cutler 36 (9,9,9,9) Cha-Cha-ChaLetitia Dean 2007 quarter-finalist Darren Bennett 36 (9,9,9,9) FoxtrotMark Ramprakash 2006 winner Karen Hardy 38 (9,9,10,10) JiveMatt Di Angelo 2007 runner-up Flavia Cacace 39 (9,10,10,10) RumbaGethin Jones 2007 third place Camilla Dallerup 40 (10,10,10,10) WaltzDarren Gough 2005 winner Lilia Kopylova 40 (10,10,10,10) American Smooth

Darren Gough won his third Strictly trophy after winning series 3 and two Christmas specials — he and Jill Halfpenny are the only contestants on Strictly to do this.

2008 The 2008 Christmas special aired on 25 December 2008. Tom Chambers, Rachel Stevens and Lisa Snowdon took on former contestants Jill Halfpenny, Alesha Dixon and Kelly Brook. Brian Fortuna partnered Brook due to her original partner, Brendan Cole, dancing with his more recent partner, Lisa Snowdon. Russell Watson made a special guest appearance. The celebrities, their professional partners and their dances were announced on 17 December 2008.

Due to four couples coming top of the leaderboard with 39 points, head judge Len Goodman was given the casting vote to break the tie. Therefore, points from the judges were awarded as follows before the audience vote: Alesha — 6, Jill — 5, Rachel — 4, Kelly — 3, Tom — 2, Lisa — 1. After the audience vote, Halfpenny was named the 2008 Christmas Champion with Brook in second place, meaning that Halfpenny joined Darren Gough in having won two Christmas specials, and her partner Darren Bennett equalled his professional partner and wife Lilia Kopylova's two Christmas special victories.

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.

Celebrity Position on Strictly Professional Judges' scores Dance SongLisa Snowdon 2008 third place Brendan Cole 36 (8,9,9,10) Quickstep "Sleigh Ride"Tom Chambers 2008 winner Camilla Dallerup 37 (9,10,9,9) Foxtrot "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"Rachel Stevens 2008 runner-up Vincent Simone 39 (9,10,10,10) Rumba "2 Become 1"Alesha Dixon 2007 winner Matthew Cutler 39 (9,10,10,10) Viennese Waltz "White Christmas"Kelly Brook 2007 contestant Brian Fortuna 39 (10,9,10,10) Jive "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"Jill Halfpenny Autumn 2004 winner Darren Bennett 39 (9,10,10,10) American Smooth "My Favourite Things"

2009 The 2009 Christmas special aired on 25 December 2009. It featured the top three contestants from series 7 along with former contestants Gethin Jones, Rachel Stevens and Austin Healey. Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli provided the judging. After the audience vote, Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna were declared champions. Rachel Stevens and Vincent Simone were runners-up.

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli.

Celebrity Position on Strictly Professional Judges' scores Dance SongChris Hollins Series 7 winner Ola Jordan 33 (8,8,9,8) Foxtrot "Santa Baby"Austin Healey Series 6 fourth place Erin Boag 36 (9,9,9,9) Paso Doble "Bohemian Rhapsody"Ricky Whittle Series 7 second place Natalie Lowe 36 (8,9,10,9) Quickstep "Jingle Bells"Gethin Jones Series 5 third place Flavia Cacace 38 (9,10,9,10) American Smooth "Baby, It's Cold Outside"Rachel Stevens Series 6 second place Vincent Simone 39 (10,10,9,10) Rumba "Miss You Most (At Christmas)"Ali Bastian Series 7 third place Brian Fortuna 40 (10,10,10,10) Viennese Waltz "Please Come Home For Christmas"

2010 Winner

The 2010 Christmas Special aired on 25 December 2010. That special, instead of having celebrities from previous years, had five new celebrities who didn't have time to do the full show.

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli.

Celebrity Occupation Professional Judges' scores Dance SongJohn BarrowmanActor & singerKristina Rihanoff37 (9,9,9,10)Quickstep"Sleigh Ride"Vince CablePoliticianErin Boag36 (9,10,8,9)Foxtrot"Winter Wonderland"Ronni AnconaActress & impressionistAnton du Beke28 (6,8,7,7)Viennese Waltz"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"Fern BrittonTelevision presenterMatthew Cutler30 (7,8,7,8)Jive"Step into Christmas"June BrownEastEnders actressVincent Simone28 (6,7,8,7)Tango"Never Do a Tango With an Eskimo"

Fern Britton would reappear as part of the main series in Series 10.

2011 Winner

The full lineup of the 2011 Christmas special, once again featuring five new celebrities who could not commit to the full series, was announced on 23 November 2011.

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli.

Celebrity Occupation Professional Judges' scores Dance Song Barry McGuigan Retired professional boxer Erin Boag 36 (8,9,10,9) Quickstep "Jingle Bells" Su Pollard Comedy actress Anton du Beke 30 (6,9,7,8) Foxtrot "White Christmas" Simon Webbe Blue singer Katya Virshilas 36 (9,9,9,9) Cha Cha Cha "Merry Xmas Everybody" Debra Stephenson Actress & impressionist Ian Waite 37 (8,9,10,10) American Smooth "Baby, It's Cold Outside" Charlie Brooks EastEnders actress Vincent Simone 37 (9,9,9,10) Jive "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"

Simon Webbe would reappear as part of the main series in Series 12.

2012 Winner