Deer FRIENDS!

ALEXANDRA MARDELL, 29, and pro KAI WIDDRINGTON, 27, on their Christmas routine

Why did you want to take part, Alexandra?

ALEXANDRA I love Strictly and my mum’s a huge fan, too, so when the offer came along, I thought, ‘I’ve got to do it!’ My mum is so excited for me and so is my fiancé [actor Joe Parker], who I practise with at home – although he might be more of a hindrance than a help!

Have you danced before? ALEXANDRA

I’ve done a bit, but it was so long ago that it pretty much doesn’t count. And remembering choreography is very different to remembering lines.

KAI Alex has been a great pupil and so positive. We hit it off from the moment we met when I walked into the studio and she was there stretching – that’s always a big plus sign!

Can you reveal anything about your routine? KAI

We’re doing the quickstep to The Ronettes Christmas classic Sleigh Ride. I’m going to be dressed as Santa, and

Alex is my reindeer.

ALEXANDRA Yes, I’m going to be a very ‘Strictly-fied’ reindeer, with added sparkle. It’s a fun routine, very fast and has a special surprise at the start!

Intriguing! What do you think your Coronation Street character Emma Brooker (Alexandra left the cobbles in April) would make of you being on Strictly? She loved a bit of sparkle! ALEXANDRA

Emma would be right up for doing Strictly. I think she would kick me off the show so that she could have a go herself! She’d be very happy to see my costume, because I’m pretty sure there’s going to be some pink involved!

Are you both looking forward to performing a group routine with the other celebs? ALEXANDRA

Yes, it’s going to be such a laugh. Meeting all the other celebs for the first time was brilliant. I’m terrified, but excited, too. I’m sure the adrenaline will kick in on the night, though.

KAI Imagine Strictly doing a version of Elf [the 2003 movie starring Will Ferrell] and you get the idea!

Finally, do you have any exciting plans yet for 2023? ALEXANDRA

I’m in a new ITV1 comedy, The Family Pile, with Amanda Abbington, Claire Keelan and Clare Calbraith. We had such a lovely time filming together. Hopefully, it will make people laugh.

KAI I’m going on tour with Nadiya [Kai’s girlfriend and fellow Strictly pro Nadiya Bychkova] for our firstever tour, Once Upon a Time [starting in Portsmouth in March]. I couldn’t be more excited!

Eighteen months ago, I wasn’t even on Strictly and now I’m headlining my own tour with my fabulous other half. I’m still pinching myself that it’s actually happening!