Strictlys

Former Gogglebox and I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! star Scarlett Moffatt is among the celebrities taking part in the 2025 Strictly Christmas special – but fans have hit out over her dance past

Scarlett Moffatt has hit back after being accused of cheating in an upcoming Christmas special of Strictly Come Dancing. It had previously been revealed that the reality star had attended dance training ahead of taking part in the BBC show.

The TV star – famous for appearing on reality shows including Beauty School Cop Outs, Gogglebox, and I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! – will appear on the festive special, partnered with Vito Coppola. Other stars taking part in the Christmas episode include singers Brian McFadden and Melanie Blatt, Gladiators star Jodie Ounsley aka Fury, EastEnders actor Nicholas Bailey, and comedian Babtunde Aléshé.

But fans were quick to call the 2025 Christmas episode a fix because Scarlett had already enjoyed years of dance training in her youth. Now she has hit back at those claims and insisted her dance days are a long, distant memory.

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She told The Sun: “I feel they’ve really hyped me up. I enjoy dancing, but that was when I was a little girl; I’m 35 now. I did dance, but it was so long ago. So I did Old Time and Sequence, which is a bit like ballroom and Latin.”

She continued: “Strictly started when I was 13, and I remember it starting, thinking, ‘oh, this is the coolest thing ever’. When I was little, this sounds so sad, but I used to follow the dancers online. Anton and Erin were doing a show, and at the end of the show, they would teach people how to do a bit of a foxtrot or a bit of a waltz. I went to that when I was eight, and Anton signed a piece of paper which I’ve still got.”

Defending herself further, she added: “That somehow was translated into that I was trained by Anton. Somehow, that’s been twisted, and I am professionally trained by Anton. It’s so funny though, man. You’ve got to laugh, haven’t you?”

Scarlett, however, has previously spoken about her dancing past. She took to Instagram this week to share footage of herself gliding across a ballroom in a dance contest from her past – while adding details about her skills.

She wrote in an accompanying caption on Instagram: “I know I’ll probably never get to dance on the main Strictly series because of my past dance experience when I was a little girl so getting to be part of the Christmas special means everything to me.”

Explaining that dance was something of an escape for her, she continued: “School wasn’t always easy for me, but dance was my safe place. It’s where I found my people, where I felt happiest, and where I could just be me.”

She went on: “Dancing on the Strictly Christmas Special, on Christmas Day, feels like a true bucket-list moment — one of those wishes you make quietly and never really expect to come true. I am so grateful to share this moment with my family, my friends, Vito and everyone watching at home & this will forever be one of the greatest days of my entire life.”

Despite her expectation that she would never be allowed onto the main version of the show, Scarlett was offered the glimmer of hope that one day the BBC might call her up and ask her to return for a true run at winning the glitterball trophy.

Former winner Stacey Dooley defended the TV star, arguing: “Babe, you can ABSOLUTELY do the main series! can’t wait to see u in action!” While professional dancer Karen Hauer wrote: “You’re a star and most importantly you’re a wonderful human. You would be an absolute dream on the main series.”

Other Strictly contestants have been critcised for having dance backgrounds when they have taken part in the show. During the 2025 contest, Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope and Love Island star Amber Davies were singled out for being West End stars – however the show was ultimately won by footballer Karen Carney who went from complete novice to ballroom champion.

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Fleur East couldn’t hold back the emotions as she listened to Strictly Come Dancing finalist Amber Davies speak candidly about her time on the show during Friday’s It Takes Two

Fleur East broke down in tears over Amber Davies‘ comments on It Takes Two. The presenter, 38, was at the helm of the Strictly Come Dancing spin-off on Friday when she welcomed West End star Amber, 29, and her professional partner Nikita Kuzmin onto the show for a chat just days ahead of the final.

The former Love Island winner has made it to the very last round of the competition and will face YouTuber George Clarke as well as Lioness Karen Carney for the chance to lift the Glitterball Trophy. As part of her It Takes Two appearance, Amber was presented with video messages from her loved ones, who encouraged her ahead of the big night.

Struggling to control her emotions, Amber said: “Thank you so much, honestly, for giving me that gift. Thank you, honestly! I think I have learned so much about myself, and I’ve learned how to be in control of my body and my mind. It has brought so much happiness into my life, my family’s life, and my partner’s life!”

READ MORE: Strictly’s Amber fumes ‘I’m not stuck up!’ as she says ‘viewers don’t WANT to warm to me’READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing’s Amber Davies in tears backstage after finding it ‘too much’

Amber and Nikita had already started crying by this point, and former X Factor star Fleur grabbed the tissues herself as she said: “We’re all losing it.” Amber then turned to her professional partner and said: “I’ve met you, and your incredible family and your girlfriend. Honestly, I will never have a moment in my life like this again so, tomorrow, I just want to enjoy every single second of it.

The actress was ushered in as a last minute replacement for fellow Love Island winner Dani Dyer, who sustained an injury just before the first week of the competition, and admitted that while it would be “lovely” to win, she is just so honoured to have taken part in the first place as it was so unexpected to begin with.

She added: “It would be lovely to lift the Glitterball Trophy, but it is so much more to be than that. I never thought I’d do Strictly in my lifetime and this has been a joy. I feel so honoured to have been able to take part in this experience.”

Since winning Love Island in 2017, Amber, who trained at Urdang Academy, a prestigious drama school in London, has launched an incredibly successful theatre career, having starred in 9 to 5: The Musical, The Great Gatsby, and next year, she will be taking on the leading role of Elle Woods in a UK tour of Legally Blonde.

But the star has repeatedly insisted that the kind of training she already has under her belt is nothing like what she has had to learn for Strictly. Despite this, the comments she has received on social media have reached beyond criticism to become nothing short of bullying.

On Sunday night, following the latest results show, Amber took to social media to tell her fans and lavish praise on her fellow contestants – and embrace all the positive experiences she has enjoyed over the past few months. Sharing a photo of herself with defeated semi-finalist Balvinder, the stage star wrote: “To do this experience next to you has been the biggest gift & life lesson, your strength and resilience has inspired me every single day. You are one of a kind, I will always be #TeamBal.”

In a video message to followers, Amber explained that she was supporting her fellow finalists, YouTube star George Clarke and footballer Karen Carney, as they all face the last stage of the competition together. She said via Instagram: “I just wanna come on here and say in the close to a decade I’ve been in the public eye, I’ve never experienced an outpouring of love the way I have in the last 48 hours.

She continued: “And to make the Strictly final is…I’m speechless. From how it started, I genuinely can’t believe I’ve made it to the end, but you know, I’ve just realised, I think I’ve needed to do Strictly to realise that there is so much kindness in this world.”

And she explained: “Like Nikita said, we’re stronger when we’re kinder and I’m going to literally enjoy every single second of this week. I’m rooting for George, I’m rooting for Kaz, and I’m just gonna be there to enjoy the ride.”

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Strictly Come Dancing’s Amber Davies was the subject of brutal comments from social media trolls after defeating Lewis Cope in a dance off but is brushing off the abuse to focus on the positives

Amber Davies has praised her Strictly Come Dancing co-stars after making it through to the final. The 29-year-old former Love Island star is partnered with Nikita Kuzmin, 27, and they have survived 12 weeks and three dance-offs to make it all the way to next Saturday’s grand finale.

On Sunday night, TV fans watched as Strictly judges unanimously voted to save Amber and Nikita after they danced against EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal and her dance partner Julian Caillon – a week after they had saved the duo in a dance off against Emmerdale’s Lewis Cope and dancer Katya Jones.

The 23rd season of Strictly has been fraught for some of the contestants as they have faced abuse online, with Amber targeted after defeating Lewis, and for her West End stage career, which some have felt has given her an unfair advantage in the contest. And the star has seen comments reach beyond criticism to become nothing short of bullying.

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On Sunday night, following the latest results show, Amber took to social media to tell her fans and lavish praise on her fellow contestants – and embrace all the positive experiences she has enjoyed over the past few months. Sharing a photo of herself with defeated semi-finalist Balvinder, the stage star wrote: “To do this experience next to you has been the biggest gift & life lesson, your strength and resilience has inspired me every single day. You are one of a kind, I will always be #TeamBal.”

In a video message to followers, Amber explained that she was supporting her fellow finalists, YouTube star George Clarke and footballer Karen Carney, as they all faced a final together. She said via Instagram: “I just wanna come on here and say in the close to a decade I’ve been in the public eye, I’ve never experienced an outpouring of love the way I have in the last 48 hours.”

She continued: “And to make the Strictly final is…I’m speechless. From how it started, I genuinely can’t believe I’ve made it to the end, but you know, I’ve just realised, I think I’ve needed to do Strictly to realise that there is so much kindness in this world.”

And she explained: “Like Nikita said, we’re stronger when we’re kinder and I’m going to literally enjoy every single second of this week. I’m rooting for George, I’m rooting for Kaz, and I’m just gonna be there to enjoy the ride.”

On Saturday night, Nikita took an opportunity during the live show to defend Amber, who has endured weeks of social media abuse. He told Amber in the Clauditorium: “You have had so much hate every single day from the moment you joined, you’ve had so much hate this week, and yet, you came every single day into the training room with a big smile, ignoring everybody.

“And just giving me love, giving me a ginger shot as well. But you gave so much love, you always were kind, so caring, you care more about me when I’m supposed to care about you. You care about me every single day, you are such a lovely kind person.

“And I think sometimes, and I speak to the audience at home, just please be kind because it costs nothing and you [Amber] don’t deserve none of it. You only deserve love because without you, I wouldn’t be here, and the show wouldn’t be as good as it is.”

Following Sunday’s results show, Amber shared photos of herself with Nikita on the dancefloor alongside an upbeat message about their final week on the show. She began by writing on Instagram: “Strictly 2025 finalists,” alongside an emotion-filled face emoji.

She wrote: “To those who have supported and voted for us from day one, you are the reason we are here and have made it!! 12 live shows, 3 dance-offs, 3 40s!!!! It’s not about winning for me, it never EVER has been, it’s always been about making the most of this incredible opportunity that was gifted to me so last minute. And now I will wholeheartedly cherish every single second of this last week with my partner in crime, one last week of pushing, laughing, learning, growing & of course knowing me lots of crying.”

She added: “I feel an overwhelming emotion of gratitude to you @bbcstrictly the greatest team in the world. Let’s go DANCE OUR HEARTS OUT FOR US @nikita__kuzmin TEAM BLOMMING CHAOS MADE IT TO THE END.”

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Shirley Ballas has admitted that she has had her fair share of sleepless nights after this year’s season of Strictly took an unexpected turn when Lewis Cope was eliminated

Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has admitted she was left wide awake all night after Lewis Cope’s emotional exit from the competition.

While on BBC spin-off show It Takes Two, Shirley opened up to host Fleur East about the toll this stage of the competition has taken on her, especially as the remaining couples edge closer to the final.

When Fleur asked how she was feeling with the semi-final less than 24 hours away, Shirley replied sombrely: “Well I didn’t sleep yesterday, I didn’t sleep when Lewis got eliminated and I probably won’t sleep tonight because you never know where the show is going to go at the moment.”

She went on to explain just how unpredictable this year’s contest has become, adding: “It is not set and it could be anyone who goes home and anyone who can win, so it will be very interesting tomorrow.”

Lewis, who is best known to viewers for his role on Emmerdale, was eliminated last week after going head-to-head with Love Island star Amber Davies in the dreaded dance-off.

Many fans were devastated to see him leave just before the semi-finals. But Lewis spoke fondly of his time on Strictly after his exit, saying: “It’s been more than I could have ever wished for. If someone would have said that I’d have done 11 weeks on the show at the beginning, I’d have been over the moon and snap their hand off.”

He went on to thank the show and his professional partner Katya Jones, telling her: “You’ve literally given me absolutely everything I could wish for as a friend, as a teacher, and yeah, I couldn’t imagine it with anybody else.”

An emotional Katya returned the praise, calling Lewis one of the most memorable contestants the show has seen. “You will be remembered as one of, if not, the best male celebrity we’ve ever had on the show,” she said, adding that he would also be remembered for being “an incredible person”.

Away from the ballroom, Lewis’s girlfriend Rachel Lopez also spoke out following his exit, hitting back at viewers’ claims that he had an unfair advantage due to his musical theatre background.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, she wrote: “What most people never saw was the pressure you carried, especially with people assuming you would walk in as a trained dancer (which you absolutely weren’t!).”

Rachel praised Lewis for handling the criticism he received with grace, adding: “The heartbreak isn’t a sign you have failed, it just shows how much courage you had.”

On It Takes Two Shirley went on to offer some quick advice to the remaining couples ahead of the semi-final, encouraging Amber and Nikita to “bend knees and have a lot of fun,” while calling for more “connection and partnering” from some of the other contestants.

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