Strictly Christmas line-up revealed

Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly will host the Strictly Christmas special

Six new celebrities, including actress Sheila Hancock and former footballer Fabrice Muamba, are to take to the dance floor for Strictly Come Dancing's Christmas Day special.

Jonathan 'JB' Gill from pop group JLS and comic Bobby Ball will also make their debuts on the BBC One show.

Presenter Helen Skelton and comedienne Katy Brand round out the newcomers.

They will be joined by seven stars with Strictly experience, among them model Kelly Brook and singer Rachel Stevens.

Contestants will perform routines with professional dancers in the hope of being crowned Christmas champion.

Rod Stewart will complete the festive mood by singing the Yuletide standard Let It Snow.

Also returning to Strictly for a special guest appearance will be former MP Ann Widdecombe and astrologer Russell Grant.

The pair became audience favourites when they took part in the programme in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

Other highlights in the BBC's Christmas schedule include special episodes of Doctor Who and Call the Midwife and an edition of sports challenge Superstars featuring London 2012 medal winners.

Comic offerings include Yuletide editions of Miranda, The Royle Family and Mrs Brown's Boys, while Sue Perkins tells the story of The Sound Of Music in Climb Every Mountain.