The Ultimate Christmas Miracle: Aston Merrygold’s Redemption Jive Steals the Show in a Perfectly Scored, Fairy Tale Fight
The tinsel, the sparkles, the four fierce judges—it can only mean one thing: Strictly Come Dancing had returned for its annual Christmas Special, delivering a dose of much-needed festive glamour and high-stakes ballroom drama. Airing on Christmas Day 2018, this spectacular event, hosted by the ever-effervescent Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, was themed around ‘Fairy Tales and Making Dreams Come True,’ a promise that set the stage for one of the most compelling and emotionally charged contests in the show’s history.
For those who treat Strictly as a national institution, this Christmas Special was a gift, bringing back six fan-favorite celebrities from previous seasons, each paired with a professional partner for one spectacular night only. The ballroom was transformed into an enchanted kingdom, where returning stars sought not just a festive victory, but a chance to right past wrongs, reclaim lost glory, or simply deliver a performance for the pure joy of the dance. The atmosphere was a heady mix of nostalgia and fierce competition, presided over by the customary judging panel: the straight-talking Craig Revel Horwood, the graceful Dame Darcey Bussell, the enthusiastic Bruno Tonioli, and the authoritative Head Judge Shirley Ballas.
The line-up was a dream collection of Strictly legends and fan favorites, each with a distinct narrative arc that added delicious tension to the evening. Among the returning dancers were: broadcaster Anita Rani, who reached the semi-finals in 2015, paired with Neil Jones; former politician Ann Widdecombe, who famously lasted nine weeks in 2010, once again with the ‘King of Ballroom’ Anton Du Beke; the beloved EastEnders star Jake Wood, a semi-finalist from 2014, partnered with Luba Mushtuk; cricketer Michael Vaughan, who previously competed in 2012, dancing with Nadiya Bychkova; 2014 series winner Caroline Flack, partnered with Gorka Marquez; and the highly-anticipated return of JLS star Aston Merrygold, a formidable dancer from the 2017 series, who was back with Janette Manrara.
It was Aston Merrygold’s presence, in particular, that amplified the emotional stakes of the night. His controversial elimination in 2017 remains a talking point among Strictly aficionados, viewed by many as one of the show’s greatest injustices. Having been consistently scoring high throughout his series, his departure felt premature. His comment upon returning—that he felt he had “unfinished business”—perfectly encapsulated the feeling of a dancer seeking ultimate redemption.
The Night of Perfect Tens
The evening’s performances were a masterclass in festive choreography, embracing the whimsical and romantic nature of the fairy tale theme. The six couples battled for the Silver Star trophy, the ultimate prize in the festive edition.
The competition immediately reached a fever pitch with the two most dynamic routines of the night, both of which managed to achieve the coveted, perfect score of 40 from the judges.
First to achieve perfection was the pairing of Aston Merrygold and Janette Manrara. Performing a high-energy Jive to CeeLo Green’s ‘What Christmas Means To Me,’ the couple delivered a routine that was nothing short of explosive. Aston’s technique, precision, and infectious enthusiasm were flawless, embodying the very spirit of celebratory dance. The performance was a triumphant declaration of his skill, proving that his earlier exit from the main competition was indeed a moment of misfortune. As the fourth perfect score of the evening was delivered by Shirley Ballas, the studio audience erupted. It was a performance that felt like a powerful statement of unfinished business, a dance delivered with passion, precision, and a desire to prove a point. Aston’s jubilant reaction alongside Janette’s pride encapsulated the feeling of a wrong being righted.
However, the path to victory was immediately complicated by another perfect performance, this time from the radiant former champion, Caroline Flack, paired with Gorka Marquez. Their Charleston, set to ‘Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,’ was a dazzling, joyous routine that perfectly captured the theme. Caroline, known for her incredible musicality and winning flair, brought a captivating energy to the floor. Her movement was sharp, clean, and full of character, cementing her reputation as one of Strictly’s most talented celebrity dancers. The routine, combining high-octane theatricality with technical excellence, also earned a standing ovation and the second perfect 40 of the night. The judges were left spellbound, with no option but to award the maximum score.
This created an unprecedented and thrilling deadlock: two couples, both scoring a flawless 40, meaning the final result could not be determined by the judges alone. The decision—and the ultimate fate of the Silver Star trophy—was thrown entirely to the studio audience, transforming the competition from a technical contest into a pure popularity vote, fueled by emotional connection.
Comedy, Class, and Contenders
While the battle for the top spot was fierce, the rest of the celebrity line-up delivered routines full of heart, skill, and memorable moments that defined the festive edition.
No Strictly return could be complete without Ann Widdecombe and Anton Du Beke, whose partnership in Series 8 delivered some of the most hilariously unconventional routines the show has ever seen. Their return for the Christmas Special saw them perform an American Smooth to ‘Sisters’ by Rosemary Clooney. In a knowing nod to their past performances, the dance was a masterclass in comedic showmanship. Though Ann’s technical score of 22 reflected her limitations, her entertainment factor with Anton was undeniably off the charts. The routine was designed to bring joy and festive silliness, and in that, they scored a decisive ten.
Bringing real quality to the dance floor was Jake Wood, who performed an energetic Cha Cha with Luba Mushtuk to ‘Could It Be Magic.’ Jake’s signature hip action was on full display, delivering a performance that was highly praised for its commitment and flair, securing an excellent score of 39. Missing out on the perfect score by just a single point, Jake and Luba showcased the high standard of dancing that the Christmas Special frequently inspires.
Meanwhile, Anita Rani and Neil Jones performed an elegant Foxtrot to ‘Walking in a Winter Wonderland,’ a beautiful, classic routine that earned them a strong 35 points, demonstrating Anita’s grace and improvement since her original appearance. Cricketer Michael Vaughan and Nadiya Bychkova embraced the romantic side of the theme with a Viennese Waltz to ‘Please Come Home For Christmas,’ which garnered a respectable 30 points, showing a charming effort from the sportsman.
The Emotional Verdict
With the judges’ scores tying the two frontrunners, the tension in the ballroom was palpable. The hosts, Tess and Claudia, had the challenging task of announcing the winner based on the combined judges’ scores and the critical, deciding vote of the studio audience. Every cheer and every vote in the room became a defining factor in this epic finale.
As the votes were tallied and the moment of truth arrived, the coveted Strictly Silver Star trophy was awarded to Aston Merrygold and Janette Manrara.
The victory was overwhelmingly emotional. For Aston, it represented the ultimate form of validation and redemption. His powerful Jive, already recognized as technically perfect by the judges, had clearly resonated with the audience on a deeper level. It was the performance that embodied the fairy tale theme most completely: a narrative of a hero returning to triumph over past adversity.
Aston’s reaction was one of pure, unrestrained delight, a mix of relief and joy. He addressed the audience and his partner with genuine gratitude, stating: “Honestly, just thank you. I’ve had the best, best time from the series to the Christmas special, even to just meeting new friends. The judges you guys, thank you so much for your comments, everyone in here just thanks you, and this woman right here.” His tribute to Janette Manrara, his professional partner, underscored the deep, supportive bonds that are often forged on the show.
The 2018 Christmas Special proved to be more than just a festive rerun; it was a dazzling, high-quality contest that confirmed the enduring appeal of Strictly Come Dancing. From the sensational spectacle of the perfectly scored dances to the genuine warmth and comedy of the returning stars, the special was a powerful reminder of how dance can tell a story of redemption, joy, and the magical spirit of Christmas. It concluded with a special musical performance from The Kingdom Choir, accompanied by a dance from Johannes Radebe and Amy Dowden, which served as the beautiful icing on an already perfect festive cake, sending viewers off to enjoy the rest of their Christmas Day with glitter in their eyes and a song in their hearts.
