The first famous face heading to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom has been confirmed – EastEnders icon Lacey Turner.
Best known for playing Stacey Slater in the BBC soap for over two decades, it was initially reported last month that Turner was one of the first names to sign on the dotted line to appear in the revamped, forthcoming 24th series.
Speaking of her new project, Turner said: “I am so excited to being making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing!
“I am a huge fan and can’t quite believe I will be taking part and not watching at home this year! I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill!”
The actress took a break from EastEnders last year, with Stacey heading off to Brazil with her children to work in brother Sean’s bar.
“It’s the break that Stacey needs,” Turner said in an interview with the BBC at the time. “She’s been through so much and losing Martin has been so hard for her. Walking past his stall everyday is too much. Brazil seems far, but I guess that’s what she needs.”
With a number of British Soap Awards and National Television Awards under her belt, Turner will undoubtedly have her eyes set on the legendary glitter ball trophy.
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There are big changes afoot for the sparkling Saturday night dancing competition, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe confirmed to be replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as hosts.
They’ll be joined by professional dancers Dianne Buswell, Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Aljaž Škorjanec, Jowita Przystał, Johannes Radebe, Nancy Xu, Kai Widdrington, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Vito Coppola, Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon.
Further details about Strictly’s new era will be revealed throughout the summer, ahead of it’s comeback on BBC One and iPlayer in September.
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Authors
Michael Adams is the Soaps Editor at Radio Times, covering all of the hot gossip and spoilers from Weatherfield to Walford, Emmerdale to Hollyoaks and everywhere in-between. He joined the team from Metro, where he spent two years as a Soaps Reporter and previously worked on the sets of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
