Comedian named for Christmas special

Comedian Babatunde Aléshé is to take part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.

The  BBC has announced that he will be paired with professional dancer Nancy Xu when he enters the  ballroom this December.

He said: ‘I used to do a little dancing when I was in college. I used to do street locking and break dancing, but then I found comedy and pursued that instead. 

‘At 39 I’ve accepted that a good two-step is all I need to get by at any function, but I know that won't be enough for Strictly! Let's hope the old moves come back to me in time for Christmas.’

Aléshé has previously appeared on Celebrity Gogglebox alongside Mo Gilligan, the 2022 series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! and the 18th series of Taskmaster last year.

He joins reality star turned presenter Scarlett Moffatt, former Spice Girl Melanie Blatt,  Jodie Ounsley (aka Gladiator Fury) and EastEnders star Nicholas Bailey in the Strictly special. One more name is yet to be announced.

Published: 26 Nov 2025