Emma Barton will be swapping Albert Square for sequins this September for the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing. The EastEnders actor was revealed as one of the first contestants on The One Show earlier this week (July 31) alongside David James and Chris Ramsey. Aside from the soap, the actor has also appeared on a number of musicals, television series and on stage – here’s everything you need to know about her job.
What else has EastEnders star Emma Barton been in?
Emma Barton will be joining the Strictly Come Dancing line-up for the much-anticipated new series of the show.
The actor is best known for playing Honey Mitchell in EastEnders on and off since 2005.
Barton appeared in the soap from November 2005 to September 2008 before reprising the role once again in 2014.
Her character Honey married Billy Mitchell (played by Perry Fenwick) in the BBC soap back in 2006 before giving birth to their daughter Petal.
The pair split when Honey left EastEnders before reconciling when she returned back to Albert Square in 2014.
Before landing the role on EastEnders, Barton trained at Guildford School of Acting, graduating in 1998.
The Hampshire-born actress began her screen career by playing Bett Jones in the TV documentary series Secret History before landing a small part in the popular television series Spooks as an MI5 officer.
In between stints on EastEnders, Barton played Natalie in You, Me & Them, which was a sitcom starring Anthony Head and Eve Myles.
She also played Catherine in the crime-thriller film Who Needs Enemies.
HOW OLD IS EMMA BARTON?
Barton has also had a successful stage career, appearing in a number of musicals away from the small screen.
This includes playing Snow White in Marlowe Theatre’s Canterbury pantomime as well as singing live for BBC Children in Need in 2008.
After this, she starred as Roxie Hart in the touring version of Chicago and as Dolly in the National Theatre’s touring production of One Man, Two Guvnors.
All of her musical experience could mean the actor will have some dancing skills to show off on Strictly.
Fans will be able to see her expertise when Strictly launches later in September.
WHO IS CHRIS RAMSEY?
The actor was announced to be joining the dancing competition on The One Show, where she spoke about her excitement, saying she was “over the moon”.
She said: “I actually feel like Alan Partridge, I have the driest mouth in the world. That was a long wait!”
Barton added: “[I am] the biggest fan. It is sort of weird I am now thinking have I done the right thing by saying yes because now I won’t be able to sit home and watch it.”
She is one of six celebrities announced for series 17 so far, including former footballer David James and comedian Chris Ramsey.
YouTube star Saffron Barker has also been announced alongside Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley and BBC Breakfast host Mike Bushell.
More celebrities are expected to be announced over the next few weeks across various platforms.
Strictly Come Dancing 2019 returns to BBC1 in September 2019.