This year's Strictly Come Dancing special sees Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Louis Smith and Rachel Stevens returns alongside Lisa Riley and Russel Grant. Bruce Forsyth will be back to present the show.

The pair met while filming the BBC gymnastics show, which ended in September, and pals claim the chemistry was evident long before they went on their first date.

It was a night of doubles for Strictly Come Dancing when Louis Smith followed up his previous win with the Christmas trophy. Viewers also saw the return of Sir Bruce Forsyth with Tess Daly.

2014 has seen another 12 months of tantalising sporting action. Sportsmail have captured these historic moments step-by-step through our own brilliant photography team.

Lucy posted an intimate picture of the two of the two of them to her Instagram account, captioning it with the words, 'Sunday snuggles'

The Olympic gymnast was spotted leaving the former TOWIE beauty's Essex home as they headed out for lunch just hours after posting a picture of them cosying up on Instagram.

A number of pictures, posted to the Twitter account @louishouseparty showed TOWIE star Lucy showering the Olympic gymnast with kisses.

Lucy Mecklenburgh shared a picture on her Twitter page on Tuesday, showing off a FaceTime conversation she was having with new man Louis Smith.

They met on the set of BBC gymnastics show Tumble in the summer, before announcing their romance via social media a few months later.

The former TOWIE star looked stylish as she appeared on Lorraine, and got candid when it came to her new romance with Olympian Louis Smith.

The couple have now posed for their first joint shoot together as they discussed their romance in an interview with Hello! magazine.

Three months into their fledgling romance, Lucy Mecklenburgh and Louis Smith are excitedly preparing to spend their first ever Valentine's Day together.

Former TOWIE star Lucy Mecklenburgh was seen leaving her Essex home in a Valentine's day inspired look.

The Olympic bronze medal holder is currently training for a competition and used his social media to chart the impact on his body. He posted a nearly-naked selfie for Instagram on Thursday to tease fans.

The couple indulged their inner big kids when they attended the unveiling of Hogwarts Express at the Harry Potter Studio Tour on Tuesday night. They looked more taken with each other though.

Louis Smith has opened up about his relationship with former TOWIE star Lucy Mecklenburgh.

Louis Smith and Lucy Mecklenburgh may just be the sweetest couple around, after the gymnast called his girlfriend his 'missing puzzle piece'.

Lucy Mecklenburgh took a day off from healthy eating on Thursday afternoon to get into the spirit of Easter with boyfriend Louis Smith and bake a chocolate cake.

Louis Smith will represent Great Britain for the first time since his double Olympic medal-winning performance at London 2012 after being named in the squad for the European Championships.

Former Olympic gymnast Louis Smith has begun sharing saucy selfies on his social media feeds, to show off his body. The star has defended his vanity project, saying he works hard for his body.

The 23-year-old fitness enthusiast was joined by a group of girlfriends for drinks at Fitzrovia’s Sanderson Hotel followed by a slap-up meal at neighbouring Japanese restaurant Tsunami.

The pair, currently in the picturesque French city for the 6th European Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Championships, dined out after Louis took a much needed break.

The reality star was among those in the audience as the Olympic gymnast scored top prize in the pommel horse at the 2015 tournament in Montpellier, France, on Saturday.

The former TOWIE star said there's one part in particular that her gymnast lover can't keep his hands off.

They have been dating since late last year, but Lucy Mecklenburgh and Louis Smith are clearly still in the honeymoon phase and could not stop themselves from stealing cuddles on the red carpet.

The Olympic gymnast shared a cheeky picture of the couple baring their bottoms as they competed to see who has the most toned derriere.

The former TOWIE star and Olympic gymnast put on a loving show on the red carpet as they arrived at the Grand Connaught Rooms.

The 23-year-old former TOWIE star told MailOnline that while Olympic gymnast Louis is the perfect man for her, she’s not ready to settle down any time soon.

The former TOWIE star, 23, was overjoyed when the thoughtful gymnast, 26, sent a trunk full of beautiful blooms to her hotel room while she was holiday in Los Angeles.

The couple were pictured leaving the Bluebird restaurant in London's Chelsea on Wednesday evening, following a romantic date night.

The lovebirds were spotted enjoying the London sunshine during an al fresco lunch date this week, with Lucy showing off her gym-honed figure in a crop top and matching hotpants.

The 26-year-old sportman appeared on Loose Women when panellist Ruth Langsford quizzed him on whether or not the couple were planning on walking down the aisle.

Lucy Mecklenburgh decided to keep busy by continuing with her relentless workout regime on Thursday.

Louis Smith was out to support his lovely lady Lucy Mecklenburgh at the launch of her new clothing line in London on Thursday, despite his denial over proposal plans.

Lucy Mecklenburgh and boyfriend Louis Smith stole the show as they attended the Tateossian and David Furnish party at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London on Sunday night.

Former TOWIE star Lucy Mecklenburgh, 23, who has launched a capsule line with PrettyLittleThing, says her beau of six months Olympian Louis Smith, 26, has a 'great sense of style'.

The happy couple were hand in hand as they made their way to Canary Wharf restaurant Roka for a romantic dinner date before taking in a John Legend concert at the O2.

Lucy Mecklenburgh and Louis Smith made sure to take advantage of the sun, sport and strawberries on offer as they attended the Wimbledon tennis championships on Tuesday.

The genetically-blessed couple put on a glamorous as they left London's swanky Locanda Locatelli restaurant on Saturday night.

The 24-year-old reality star left every one of her Instagram followers green with envy as she posted a snap of her surrounded by a mountain of presents as she lazed in bed on Monday morning.

The former TOWIE beauty was treated to a gourmet dinner by her boyfriend Louis Smith on Saturday night, dining at upmarket restaurant Bob Bob Ricard in Soho, London.

It was a rare date night for busy couple - who haven't made a public appearance together in months - but they looked loved-up as they went along to the Harry Potter event on Thursday.

The star, 24, was in her element as she led an intense fitness session inside JD Sports' Argyll Street store in Glasgow, on Wednesday.

The lovebirds sported complimentary styles for their day court-side, with the 24-year-old star cutting a chic figure in a grey mini dress.

The silver medallist, 26, and former TOWIE star, 24, joined a host of stars at the annual ceremony celebrating sport's unsung heroes.

The former TOWIE star, 24, ignored the chilly London temperatures and showed some skin in a flirty mini dress with a plunging neckline as she headed for dinner with the Olympic medalist, 26.

On Tuesday, Lucy Mecklenburgh finally jetted off to the Big Apple with her gymnast boyfriend Louis Smith, four months after he gave her the plane ticket as a gift for her 24th birthday.

Lucy Mecklenburgh and Louis Smith looked completely relaxed as they strode through the streets of New York on Wednesday, a day after arriving in the city.

The former TOWIE star giggled in delight as Olympic gymnast Louis took a flying jump as they braved the rain in the Big Apple on Thursday.

The former TOWIE starlet, 24, couldn't hide her glee as she feasted her eyes on the glimmering treats with her 26-year-old Olympic gymnast boyfriend