First look at Danny Cipriani in Strictly Christmas special as hunky rugby ace dresses as Santa and drives judges wild
RUGBY ace Danny Cipriani looks red hot to judges Shirley Ballas and Mosti Mabuse in his tight Santa waistcoat on tomorrow’s Strictly Christmas special.
The former England star, 36, showed off his muscular tattooed arms in the sleeveless festive costume.
And he dances the cha-cha-cha with pro partner Jowita Przystal, 29, to the 1980 hit Celebration.
But it is his physique rather than his footwork that leaves the two judges swooning in the Christmas Day show on BBC1
Motsi, 42, says: “Well, well, well. If I knew Santa looked like that I would stay up all night.
“No, I mean really, you have a vibe.”
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She adds: “Oh my gosh, I am dreaming of Santa right now.”
And head judge Shirley, 63, says: “Well Mr Claus, I wasn’t expecting that. I mean, I saw it all.”
Touching her face, she said: “Wow, I am getting all hot, Motsi.”
Even Strictly presenter Tess Daly, 54, could not resist a cheeky remark, adding: “I think you have given the judges the perfect gift for Christmas.”
The episode also includes a segment with Danny working out in the gym with Santa Claus after Jowita told him about the outfit for his performance.
The Polish dancer says: “You are going to be Santa Claus but you are going to have quite a tight outfit — you need to be fit.”
Danny pretends to jet off to Lapland to meet Santa in his gym where he is seen doing exercises with a Christmas tree and sit-ups for a mince pie.
Speaking about his Strictly experience, Danny told co-presenter Claudia Winkleman, 51, following his performance: “I have a great teacher and I have loved every moment of it.”
Asked about lifting Jowita during the routine, he said: “It was just like throwing a rugby ball up in the air — it was fine.”
Earlier this month, newly single Danny and Jowita were spotted gazing into each other’s eyes — nine days after he announced his split from wife Victoria Rose, 42.
The pair were pictured together following a four-hour rehearsal.
His booking on Strictly’s festive special is being seen as a trial run for him being a contestant on the main show.
A source told The Sun Danny could appear on next year’s series.
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Other celebs on the special at 4.40pm include TV historian Dan Snow, 45, BBC Breakfast’s Sally Nugent, 52, and EastEnder Jamie Borthwick, 29.