EXCLUSIVE: Scarlett Moffatt reveals adorable Christmas tradition ahead of Strictly debut
EXCLUSIVE: Telly legend Scarlett Moffatt has revealed her adorable Christmas tradition with her son Jude and how she’ll be making her family watch her Strictly Come Dancing debut on the big day
Scarlett Moffatt has an adorable Christmas tradition with her son Jude, which she picked up from a film. As the nation prepares to celebrate the Big Day, the former Gogglebox legend admits that while she’s excited, she’s currently juggling a lot of work commitments on top of her organisation.
This year, Scarlett is starring as the Spirit of the Ring in Norwich’s Christmas pantomime, as well as gearing up to make her debut on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special. “Scarlett: “I just think you have to not stress and just remember that what a privileged position and a joy it is to have so many people to buy for or to have, you know, people around you,” she said of her hectic schedule.
But now she’s a mum to little Jude, she’s started her own Christmas traditions, as well as the ones she grew up with. Speaking to OK! Magazine, Scarlett said: “I saw it in a movie, I can’t remember which movie, but I remember being pregnant and going ‘We need to do this!’
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Scarlett has opened up about her own Christmas traditions with her son, Jude(Image: scarlettmoffatt/Instagram)
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“We basically just wrap the door in wrapping paper, so he has to like burst through it. The first two years, we helped him, but last Christmas, he burst through it. Then we keep a little swatch of the paper next to a picture of him by the Christmas tree. Every year, we can flick through. Very sentimental.”
On Christmas Day, telly is an absolute “staple” for the Moffatt family. Scarlett said: “We sort of plan our Christmas around what’s on the telly, we do lots of games and stuff. Since I was a kid, which is quite fancy, we’ve always done Bucks Fizz and croissants for breakfast. Then we sit down and watch the King’s speech.”
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Each year, Scarlett creates lasting memories with her little son(Image: scarlettmoffatt/Instagram)
However, preparing for Christmas is a “sense of achievement” for Scarlett, who “loves a list”. She added: “I think you just can’t put pressure on yourself. I’ve said it to my mum, she’ll go ‘It looks like there’s hardly any presents,’ it doesn’t matter. Especially as you get older.”
Her partner, Scott, will often ask Scarlett for a “list” of things she wants, but she admits that she adds items to it for the sake of it. “There’s nothing really that I need,” she said, adding: “I’ve got to that age now, I prefer memories to stuff. I’m like ‘Can I have a spa day with you, or can we all go out for food?’”
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This Christmas, Scarlett will be appearing on the Strictly Come Dancing special(Image: PA)
This year will be different, though, for Scarlett, who’ll be dancing with Vito Coppola on the Strictly special. “Obviously we watch it every year,” she said, adding: “But Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will be a bit extra special this year ’cause I’m in it, which is fun. I’m so excited.”
And while some may find the rehearsals for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s final show gruelling, Scarlett is having the most fun. “I really wanted Vito. I couldn’t believe my luck when I got paired with him,” she gushed. She added: “I did keep mentioning that Vito would be my favourite.
“We just have such a laugh, it feels like I’ve known him for a decade. It’s the best. I’m having the best time, and that’s all that matters is that I’m enjoying myself.” Scarlett, who has experience having danced as a child, says she’s “so grateful” for the chance to appear on the show. She said: “I danced as a little girl, Vito, the whole experience – I’m so grateful to the show for giving us a chance to be a small part in a big institution.
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The TV star praised this year’s I’m A Celeb winner, Angryginge(Image: ITV)
“It’s reignited the fire inside that I love dance, it’s reminded me of why I love dance so much, and it’s definitely going to be something that I continue to do, even after Strictly. It brings me so much joy.” However, Scarlett will not be telling her family about her experience on the show, and instead, they will have to tune in on Christmas Day to find out where she placed.
“I already feel like a winner anyway,” she said, adding: “I don’t want to give anything away, but I think it’ll be fun!” This year, Scarlett has teamed up with Three Mobile for their Give a little S’more campaign – giving back to people who go above and beyond for Christmas.
“WE wanted to celebrate all the do-ers of Christmas, we like to call them Chief Christmas Officers, which I am, in my whole family, creates the whole magic of Christmas. I do all the decorating, all the hosting, all the fun stuff – I’m like a Christmas elf. We wanted to give something back to the people who don’t stop during the festive period. I like a campaign where you feel like you’re giving back to folk.”
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She praised Ginge for being authentic and a good role model to young men(Image: James Gourley/ITV/Shutterstock)
As the nation prepares to gather with families and loved ones, it’s also a special time for Scarlett, who each day vows to make a difference to another person. “It can literally make a difference just smiling at someone on the street, or saying hello,” she said, adding: “Everyone gets caught up in what they’re doing and what they have to do. Sometimes, it’s just nice to look around and acknowledge that other people are there, but that’s why Samaritans are so good at this time of year – they really make a difference.”
And while social media is often criticised, Scarlett admits it can be a beneficial tool for people who feel alone. “It keeps people connected,” she said before adding: “It helped me when I first had Jude – most of my friends don’t have children, so I felt a bit like ‘I don’t know who I can speak to.’”
Scarlett’s friends had older children, some who are teens, so she relied on “mum-fluencers” on social media and has since created a small community, with whom she still keeps in touch on a regular basis.” Having won I’m A Celebrity in 2016, Scarlett heaped praise on this year’s champion, Angryginge.
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Scarlett has teamed up with Three UK for their Give a little S’more campaign(Image: ©Nic Serpell-Rand 2024)
“I think he’s such a good role model for young kids,” she said, adding: “In the world of Andrew Tate and toxic masculinity, Angryginge is what we need. I really look forward to seeing more of him on the telly, I think this is going to catapult him and I can’t wait to watch. ” Having Ginge, a Twitch streamer, on the show also allowed families to come together to watch TV again.
Scarlett explained: “A lot of my memories as a kid are of being in front of the telly. This is what I love about shows like I’m A Celeb, Strictly and The Traitors, telly you’re all watching, where you feel part of something, where you get excited about messaging your friends or meeting up and going ‘Did you watch last night?’ It’s like a sense of community, and I think telly is on the rise again.