Past winners Olympic gymnast Louis Smith and Chris Hollins are to return to Strictly Come Dancing as contestants from previous series take the floor once again for the Christmas special.

They will be joined on the show - co-hosted by returning former presenter Sir Bruce Forsyth - by Sophie Ellis-Bextor and S Club 7's Rachel Stevens.

The annual festive show usually chooses a field of new stars but this year bosses have chosen to bring back former favourites with the six-strong list of celebrities completed by Lisa Riley and Russell Grant.

Sir Bruce, who bowed out of the show this year, will revive his partnership with Tess Daly for the programme. At the time of his departure earlier this year, he said he would be back for the seasonal special and may be involved in other one-off shows.

Strictly has become a fixture in the Christmas Day schedule and is often one of the day's most popular shows. Contestants will this year perform a panto-inspired routine in the hope of getting their hands on the trophy.

Also returning to the programme will be professional dancer Robin Windsor - reviving his partnership with Riley - after he stepped away from the BBC1 contest before the current series began.

Regular judges Len Goodman, Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood will each feature in the programme.

The line-up will be:

:: Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Aljaz Skorjanec

:: Lisa Riley and Robin Windsor

:: Rachel Stevens and Tristan MacManus

:: Louis Smith and Aliona Vilani

:: Chris Hollins and Iveta Lukosiute

:: Russell Grant and Joanne Clifton