Helen George has helped bring lots of babies into the world as Call the Midwife nurse Trixie Franklin, but can she deliver a top-class performance on Strictly Come Dancing?
How are you feeling about taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing?
"I'm just loving it! I've been smiling so much for the last few days – the physical exertion of it makes me smile. It's all starting to feel real now."
Are you hoping that appearing on Strictly will allow people to see that you're different to Trixie Franklin, your character in Call the Midwife?
"Yes – but that's truly nerve-wracking as well because suddenly you're not a character, you're having to be yourself. Once people get to know me, I may never work again, it's scary!"
We're used to seeing you in a nurse's uniform as Trixie. Are you enjoying wearing the Strictly costumes?
"On Call the Midwife I do get to wear some lovely dresses, so I'm not always in my nurse's uniform. But, yes, it is really nice getting to wear sequins, big eyelashes and loads of make-up!"
What dances are you looking forward to doing with you professional partner, Aljaz Skorjanec?
"I don't even know what they all are! I've purposely not watched old episodes of Strictly, so that I don't scare myself. What's the one where they wear a flower behind their ear? Is that the Argentine Tango? Probably that."
We know you're a huge fan of Strictly judge Darcey Bussell. Are you nervous about dancing in front of her?
"When I did ballet years ago, Darcey Bussell was my hero! I couldn't believe I was going to be meeting Darcey, let alone dancing in front of her! I had posters of her up on my wall, so it's going to be completely intimidating."
Would you say you're competitive?
“I am quite competitive but mostly with myself. I demand quite a lot from me – I can be my own worst enemy."
We know your Call the Midwife co-star Miranda Hart, who plays Chummy, loves to dance every now and again. What does she think about you being on Strictly?
"Miranda LOVES Strictly! She says she's going to come down and support me, she's so excited. You can do amazing things in your career but as soon as you mention you're doing Strictly, people are like: 'Oh. My. GOD!'"
Tune in for a bumper weekend of Strictly Come Dancing on Friday September 25 at 9pm and Saturday 26 at 6.15pm on BBC1.
