EastEnders legend Lacey Turner is reportedly set to appear on Strictly Come Dancing, despite turning the BBC series down in the past.
The soap star has delighted viewers as Stacey Slater for decades, but is currently on an “extended break” away from our screens to focus on her young family.
She has previously been linked to the competition, but is thought to have signed up for a twirl around the ballroom during her break from the long-running soap.
The 38-year-old, who welcomed her third child with husband Matt Kay last year, wouldn’t be the first Albert Square resident to compete on the show, with Kellie Bright, Jake Wood, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Balvinder Sopal and Maisie Smith just some of the names who have taken part.
View 3 ImagesShe is currently on an “extended break” from EastEnders(Image: BBC / Jack Barnes)
“Strictly bosses are delighted to snap Lacey up for the series, especially as she has such a huge fan base from her time on the soap,” an insider said.
“She’s down to earth and viewers will be excited to get to know her personality away from Albert Square.”
“She has loved having some quality time off screen to focus on parenting, but feels like now is the perfect time to learn to dance and try something different before she reprises her role in EastEnders,” they added to the Sun.
Lacey made her EastEnders debut as Stacey in 2004 and immediately became a firm fan favourite. She took a break from the show last year, with viewers desperate for her to return.
While the TV icon has yet to address the speculation publicly, she was previously linked to Strictly – but revealed that she turned the opportunity down.
View 3 ImagesA number of Lacey’s co-stars – including Kellie Bright and Balvinder Sopal – have competed in the past(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
“I have been asked to go on Strictly but I’m rubbish at dancing and I don’t really have the guts,” she told OK! Magazine in 2017. “I’d do it if it wasn’t on telly – I just don’t like being on TV!
“I do think it’s a great show to do, though, as you learn a new skill.”
“Maybe one day I’ll grow a pair and put the shoes on,” she jokingly teased, before changing her tune just two years later, telling the outlet: “I don’t know if I could do any but I guess if I was going to do any I would do either Strictly, although I can’t dance, or the jungle.”
The upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing is due to kick off in September, and will mark the first season for new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe.
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The trio were announced as the new presenters earlier this month after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman confirmed they would be stepping back.
The Mirror has contacted reps for the BBC and Lacey Turner for a comment.
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