Lorraine’s Christmas Day special

Lorraine’s Christmas Day special

9am on ITV1 and ITVX

• SUGABABES KEISHA BUCHANAN AND STRICTLY COME DANCING PROFESSIONAL GORKA MARQUEZ ON PARTNERING UP FOR THE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL OF THE DANCING SHOW, CALL THE MIDWIFE’S LAURA MAIN AND GEORGIA GLEN, AND THE DUCHESS OF YORK, GRAHAM NORTON AND BOY GEORGE STAR IN LORRAINE’S CHRISTMAS DAY SPECIAL

Keisha: “The Sugababes gave me a fist pump before Strictly - it’s our thing we do before the start of every show’

Gorka: “The whole morning is opening presents, playing with new toys. I love the fact we open a present and it’s the most exciting present but five seconds later, there’s a new present, which is even more exciting”

Lorraine is bringing seasonal cheer in abundance again on Christmas Day, including an exclusive interview with Sugababes star Keisha Buchanan and Strictly Come Dancing professional Gorka Marquez, who have partnered up together for the Christmas special of the dancing show, and celebs including Graham Norton, Boy George, Joel Dommett, Matt Lucas, and the Duchess of York send Christmas messages.

Comedian Stephen Fry reads a beautiful festive poem by the Christmas tree to open the show and LA correspondent Ross King is over from the pond for the festive celebrations. Regular presenters Ria Hebden, Dr Hilary Jones and Mark Heyes are also in the studio and they all try out Lorraine’s ‘Twinkle’ Christmas cocktail and share photos of themselves on Christmas Days gone by. 

Joss Stone and the Lorraine’s Change and Check Choir perform chart-topping song Golden and Lorraine little’s helper, her daughter Rosie’s puppy, Ruby, is also back with an impressive four Christmas outfit changes throughout the one-hour show.

Sitting down with Lorraine ahead of the Strictly Christmas special, Keisha explains she had just two days of rehearsals to learn the dance.

“It was definitely much more difficult than I thought, but I had so much fun!” she said.

Gorka, who’s down the line, said, “She’s a superstar. She came with such a positive energy, was willing to learn and we had fun.”

He added, “The Christmas special is about bringing joy to everyone at home. It’s bringing the magic of Strictly on the most wonderful day of the year, which is Christmas. Everyone’s at home with their families and loved ones, so Strictly is part of everybody.”

Keisha - who says she likes to spend Christmas Day relaxing in her “pjs” - also reveals her Sugababes band mates showed their support. She reveals, “They could tell I was nervous, they gave me a bit of a fist pump before I started. It’s our thing we do before the start of every show.”

Explaining the band have been together since they were 12 years old, Keisha says, “We’ve been through such a journey, as everyone knows. It’s been incredible to be back making music.”

Gorka also gives an insight into Christmas Day at his home he shares with Gemma Atkinson and their two children. “The whole morning is opening presents, playing with new toys. I love the fact we open a present and it’s the most exciting present but five seconds later, there’s a new present, which is even more exciting, especially Mia.” 

He adds, “She’s four and she opens presents and leaves everything around and me behind her picking up all the wrapping paper and putting it in a bag. I’m very excited to spend Christmas all together with the family and celebrate and have the best time.

“Mia is a showgirl, she loves to perform for everybody so she will be singing and dancing. I will be dancing with her, not Gemma.”

Elsewhere in the show, Call the Midwife’s Laura Main and Georgia Glen - who play Nurse Shelagh Turner and Miss Higgings in the hit drama - confirm there will be drama - and snow - in the Christmas special, viewers get an exclusive look at the Christmas Day episode of quiz show The 1% Club and singer Tom Walker performs in the studio. 

Stephen Fry also sits down with Lorraine to talk about hosting new quiz show Jeopardy and he takes part in Lorraine’s A piece of cake game - what is cake and what is fake, involving a Christmas turkey and Brussels sprouts.

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Editors Note:

Please credit: Lorraine’s Christmas Day special, 9am on ITV1 and ITVX. 

Watch Lorraine weekdays from 9am on ITV1 & ITVX

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