Rickie Haywood-Williams confirmed for Strictly Christmas special

The BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge co-host has been named as a contestant in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas all-star special.

Rickie is the second celebrity announced for the festive special and will be paired with Strictly’s professional dancer Luba Mushtuk.

Podcaster and TV host, Rosie Ramsey was the first contestant to be announced. Each of the six couples will perform a Christmas inspired routine on the BBC One show on Christmas Day.

Ricky previously hosted the KISS FM breakfast show for 10 years before moving to the BBC, where he currently presents BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge show with Melvin Odoom and Charlie Hedges. He also hosts the BBC Sounds hit podcast the Footballers’ Football podcast.

The news was announced during the trio’s show on Radio 1 this morning.

Rickie says: “I have watched Strictly over the years and always said I’d be too scared to do it. But here I am ready to go for it, sequins n’ all.”