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Strictly’s Luba Mushtuk will spend Christmas Day alone as she makes heartbreaking admission(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

Strictly Come Dancing professional Luba Mushtuk made the heartbreaking admission that she’ll be spending Christmas Day alone. The dancer appeared on Loose Women on Monday (December 22) when she revealed that she’d be spending the festive period eating ice cream on her own and decorating her home.

The panel, including Jane Moore, 63, Judi Love, 45, Nadia Sawalha, 61, and Frankie Bridge, 36, were discussing their plans for the big day. Luba, 36, who was on the show with EastEnders star Nicholas Bailey, 54, ahead of the Strictly Christmas special, said she felt like she needed some alone time.

When asked by the panel what she’s up to, she replied: “I am painting my walls, by choice, on my own. Having a lovely time, I think some people would love actually to do what I will do.

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Luba appeared on Loose Women with Nicholas Bailey(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

“But I am embracing it. I just felt like I need some time on my own, have some ice cream, watch some movies and paint my walls.”

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Nadia replied: “I’m just looking at you and thinking that sounds so lovely.” Nicholas, however, was going for a traditional Caribbean celebration with his family.

He told the Loose Women: “I am going to have a Caribbean traditional one with my mum, my daughters obviously, cousins will be coming round. We’ll have a proper Caribbean roast, my nan’s mac and cheese and Caribbean rum cake to finish us off!”

As talk turned to the Strictly Christmas special, Judi asked Nicholas how he found taking part in the show, which is already filmed. He admitted: “It got real. There were some aches and pains, and some muscles I didn’t know I had.

“I knew it would be physically challenging, but that is kind of what I wanted. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and try something different out.

“These people are extraordinary athletes. Once you get over that hurdle, focus on the moves, focus on getting better each day, you would expect that. I don’t think anything worth doing is easy.”

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Luba said she’s embracing her solo Christmas(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

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It will also mark the last time Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman appear together on Strictly. Jane asked Nicholas what it was like to be involved in their final episode.

He said: “For somebody who was a fan of the show, they are two of the best to ever do it. It’s such a privilege to be part of their last ever appearance on the show. It was very moving, but very uplifting as well.

“You really felt you were part of making history. They are just outstanding and such nice people too!”

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Strictly Come Dancing fans will get to see who wins the festive show on December 25. Celebrities including Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt, Fury from Gladiators, Westlife singer Brian McFadden, EastEnders’ Nicholas Bailey and All Saints star, Melanie Blatt will all compete.

Head Judge Shirley Ballas will be joined by Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke, to decide who performed the best festive dance. The special is guaranteed to be a tearjerker, with hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman both bowing out after announcing they were quitting in October.