EastEnders icon Tamzin Outhwaite breaks silence as she's confirmed for Christmas special

New Tricks and EastEnders histrion Tamzin Outhwaite has been confirmed arsenic the 5th personage taking to the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor this Christmas successful a bid to triumph the Glitterball

An EastEnders prima is heading for the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor this Christmas.

Tamzin Outhwaite is the 5th prima to motion up for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special, with 4 names already having been announced - including comedian Josh Widdicombe, resistance creator Tayce, TV presenter Vogue Williams and Gladiators prima Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, besides known arsenic Nitro, with 1 sanction inactive near to beryllium revealed.

On tonight's occurrence of It Takes Two, it was confirmed that Tamzin would beryllium joining the Christmas peculiar and volition creation with nonrecreational dancer Nikita Kuzmin, who was partnered with Sam Quek successful the main Strictly bid this year.

Tamzin is champion known to fans for her iconic relation arsenic DCI Sasha Miller successful BBC deed detective amusement New Tricks, whilst she has besides had cardinal roles successful Hotel Babylon and Murder Is Easy. Soap fans volition known Tamzin for her relation arsenic Mel Owen successful EastEnders.

Tamzin besides starred successful the likes of Out Of Control and was formed alongside Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter and Robbie Coltrane successful Mike Newell’s Great Expectations. In theatre, she has starred successful Abigail’s Party and the West End revival of Noises Off.

Speaking astir the show, she said: "I’m truthful excited to swap the signifier for the Strictly Ballroom this Christmas. I’m utilized to performing successful beforehand of a unrecorded audience, but this is simply a full caller experience. I can’t hold to immerse myself successful each things glitter and sequins, let’s anticipation the judges amusement Nikita and I immoderate other festive cheer this Christmas!"

Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge Shirley Ballas volition each beryllium backmost for the Christmas peculiar to springiness their verdicts connected the performance, with 1 much personage acceptable to beryllium confirmed aboriginal this week. Gladiators and Olympian prima Nitro was confirmed earlier this week.

Harry said of joining the show: "STRICTLY... ARE YOU READY?! Nitro’s blasting onto the Ballroom level this Christmas! I’m swapping my trainers for dancing shoes, and spot me, I’m bringing the power, the vigor and the moves! This December I'm gonna airy up that dancefloor and crank the Christmas tone each the mode UP. Let’s bash this!"

Strictly: It Takes Two airs weekdays astatine 6.30pm connected BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.