Emma is 'waltzing in from Walford'
EastEnders actress Emma Barton, aka Honey Mitchell, has spoken about her excitement as she was revealed as one of the stars taking part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The 42-year-old declared that she was “very much a dance around your handbag kinda girl” and that she couldn’t wait for the new series to kick off in the autumn.
“As possibly one of the biggest Strictly fans on the planet, I still can’t believe this is happening," she said. "I’m very much a dance around your handbag kinda girl, but now I've been given this wonderful opportunity to learn all the different styles of dancing from the very best in the business.
“So, I’m whipping off Honey's Minute Mart tabard and diving right in to all the glitter and sparkle. From Albert Square to the Strictly dance floor - I just can’t wait!”
MORE: Strictly Come Dancing reveals Latin specialist Nancy Xu as new pro-dancer
It was also announced on the The One Show that former England goalkeeper David James and comedian Chris Ramsey would be taking part. Today it was also revealed that YouTuber Saffron Barker is on the new run.
But EastEnders fans were no doubt most excited to hear that Emma, who’s been involved in some massive storylines as Honey including her failed marriage to Billy Mitchell, will be following in the footsteps of other stars on the soap including Jake Wood (Max Branning).
And Emma does have some useful dancing experience, after all she played Roxie Hart in a UK tour of the musical Chicago.
Her other stage roles include playing Dolly in the National Theatre’s production of One Man, Two Guvnors; Vera in Doctor in The House; Lily in Annie and Marty in Grease.
And EastEnders stars don’t have a bad track record on Strictly, after all former Albert Square favourites Kara Tointon and Jill Halfpenny have both claimed the Glitterball trophy.
The BBC will announce more names soon!
