George Webster: CBeebies presenter with Down’s syndrome will take part in Strictly Christmas Special 2022
Award-winning TV presenter and disability activist George Webster, who has Down’s syndrome, has been named as the sixth and final star confirmed to be appearing in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.
Read our interview with George Webster.
George Webster on Strictly Christmas Special 2022
TV star George Webster, 22, from Leeds – who recently won a BAFTA – made history when he became the first presenter on CBeebies with Down’s syndrome.
He will also be the first celebrity with Down’s syndrome to appear on Strictly Come Dancing. He will be paired with Strictly professional dancer Amy Dowden, 32, for the festive episode.
The news was revealed on Friday (2nd December) evening on Strictly: It Takes Two on BBC Two.
When the news was announced, George said: “I love Strictly and have watched it every year. I’ve always dreamed of being on the show one year and I’m so excited to be on this year’s Christmas Special!
To be partnered with Amy is such an honour, we get on so well, she’s so lovely and an amazing dancer. I’m looking forward to being ‘Strictlyfied’. Bring on the glitter and everything else. I can’t wait to perform on the Strictly dance floor.”
George Webster will be joined by podcaster and author Rosie Ramsey, actress Alexandra Mardell, singer Nicola Roberts, radio DJ Rickie Haywood-Williams and actor Larry Lamb.
Each of the six couples will perform a Christmas-inspired routine with the hope of impressing the judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, Head Judge Shirley Ballas, and the voting audience.
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day.
Read our interview with Amy Dowden.
George Webster’s additional work and achievements
Last month, George won the Presenter Award for CBeebies at the BAFTA Children & Young People Awards.
He is also an actor on stage and screen, appearing in productions in France and the UK and in a cameo role in The Railway Children Return, a sequel to the classic story.
George will soon be seen in Something Special, Casualty and World on Fire.
The star was included in the top 20 of the Radio Times 100 list for creating change in entertainment. Also, George is in the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list 2022.
He is also a public speaker, park runner and ambassador for the disability charity Mencap and Yorkshire Dance.
Go to the CBeebies channel or BBC iPlayer to watch George Webster in action.
By Emma Purcell
More on Disability Horizons…
- Strictly Amy: Crohn’s and Me – A documentary about dancer Amy Dowden living with Crohn’s disease
- 10 famous and successful people with Down’s syndrome
- Sam Barnard on living with Down’s Syndrome, his acting career and work with disability charity Bemix
- View our Christmas Gift Guides to find that perfect accessible present
