Strictly Come Dancing fans were “so excited” as a beloved pro landed a new role after their recent show “snub”.
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Cypriot Ballroom and Latin dancer Michelle Tsiakkas initially joined the Strictly roster in 2022 following global tours with professionals Dianne Buswell, Johannes Radebe and Jowita Przystał.
Michelle made her debut in the programme’s 20th series on the BBC, joining other newcomers Vito Coppola, Carlos Gu and Lauren Oakley.
She was given her first celebrity partner last year, dancing with EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick. The pair departed in week ten, missing the grand final by just three weeks.
Strictly viewers were therefore disappointed when Michelle wasn’t given a partner this series, along with Nancy Xu, Luba Mushtuk, Neil Jones and Gorka Márquez, reports Wales Online.
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Michelle Tsiakkas joined Strictly back in 2022(Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
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The dancer expressed her disappointment on social media in September, stating: “To those of you asking how I am. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t gutted, but I think that’s a normal feeling to have.”
Michelle has now revealed thrilling news after being partnered with Westlife singer Brian McFadden for this year’s Strictly Christmas Special.
Taking to Instagram with a photograph of herself and Brian in the training room on Wednesday (November 26), Michelle penned: “Soooo happy to be partnered with this legend for the Christmas Special! We are having too much fun in the rehearsal room and we can’t wait to perform for you!
“Guess which dance we are doing (ps. It was the only dance Brian was hoping NOT to do).”
Supporters quickly flooded the comments with encouraging words, with one viewer posting: “What a team eeek. You guys will be great, I can’t wait to watch on Christmas Day!”
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Michelle has been partnered with Brian McFadden for this year’s Christmas Special(Image: Instagram/@michelle_tsiak)
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Someone else commented: “Been waiting for years for you to get a Christmas Special partner, so happy!!”
A third viewer remarked: “SO excited, wonderful news, loving this already! Is it a Rumba? Jive? Ahh, I can hardly wait,” whilst another similarly expressed: “Congratulations Michelle, so glad you got a partner! I look forward to watching you!”
A fifth supporter reflected the excitement, declaring: “I’m so happy I can’t stop smiling! I can’t wait to see what kind of dance you’ll be doing, a Samba, a Cha Cha or something else? I’m so excited just thinking about it!”
Brian completes the 2025 Strictly Christmas Special cast, which also features Scarlett Moffatt, Melanie Blatt, Jodie Ounsley (aka Fury from Gladiators), Nicholas Bailey, and Babatunde Aléshé.
Presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will supervise the celebrations for their final time, whilst judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke will assess the festive performances.
