Strictly Come Dancing: EastEnders star 'joins 2020 line-up' after quitting BBC soap

Strictly Come Dancing’s 2020 line-up is yet to be unveiled, but it has been confirmed this year’s season will be shorter as a result of the coronavirus pandemic disrupting production on television shows. The rumour mill is already going into overdrive as to which famous faces could possibly be trying to take the crown from former Emmerdale star, Kelvin Fletcher, 36, later on in the Autumn. However, it seems it could be another former soap actor who could become the next champion as EastEnders actress Tamzin Outhwaite, 49, has spoken out about her chances of appearing on the BBC dance show. Having quit her role as Mel Owen last year, will she follow in the footsteps of some of her fellow co-stars?

The actress was sensationally killed off in November when her character became embroiled in the drama surrounding Sharon Mitchell’s (Letitia Dean) affair with Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters).

It was announced just months before Tamzin would be bowing out, but the details of her departure were kept under wraps until transmission.

Having held the role of Mel for two decades, the actress discussed what ventures she would be willing to explore after leaving her current role.

Speaking with OK! Magazine, the soap star revealed last year she was eyeing up a spot for the upcoming season of the hit dance show.

Could bosses have noticed this plea and be in talks with the famous face to grace the ballroom floor later this year?

READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing’s huge ‘schedule’ shake-up as return confirmed

Tamzin told the publication: “My girls are desperate for me to do it but I think I’m a bit old, I’m not sure my body could take it.

“I’m 49 soon, so part of me thinks I should do it next year as a last hurrah before my fifties,” she concluded.

A source has also told The Sun Tamzin is likely to be one of the contestants strutting their stuff to entertain the nation in light of the coronavirus crisis.

The insider said: “Tamzin is a perfect fit for the show. The BBC loves an EastEnder and she has a background in performing and dance, so she is really excited to see how she fares.”

Kush Kazemi star Davood Ghadami, 37, suffered the same fate in 2017 and the year before saw Kim Fox actress Tameka Empson, 43, crash out in week three.

If Tamzin does fill a spot in the show, will quitting the soap weigh in her favour as she doesn’t have to continue filming at the same time?

Meanwhile, the bookmakers are already getting their odds tables built on which famous faces are most likely to sign up this season.

One outsider who seems to be on the agenda is the Prime Minister’s father, Stanley Johnson, 79, who has taken part in reality shows before.

According to the latest odds from Coral bookmakers, Boris Johnson’s, 55, father sits at 4-5 to join the line-up.

Coral spokesperson John Hill said: “Stanley had a stint in the jungle a few years ago and if our odds are correct, it looks like he could be set for another challenge in 2020 with Strictly.”

However, the pensioner did fall just before the final hurdle during his stint on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!

Will he manage to top his previous positioning, or will his reputation proceed him as he takes to the dance floor?

Strictly Come Dancing returns later this year on BBC One.

source: express.co.uk