Burnley-born star Natalie Gumede set to sizzle on Strictly Come Dancing

The 29-year-old actress, who played villain Kirsty Soames in the hit ITV1 soap opera, will be shimmying in sequins alongside radio presenter Vanessa Feltz, Hairy Biker Dave Myers and popstar Sophie Ellis Bextor.

Strictly pairs celebrities with professional Latin American and ballroom dancers to learn the moves in a variety of styles – although it has not yest been revealled who Natalie will dance with.

It’s another step up the ladder of fame for the former Park High School, Colne, student who honed her acting skills from a young age at Colne’s Pendle Hippodrome Youth Theatre.

Natalie achieved acclaim for her portrayal came weeks after she walked away with the best dramatic performance and villain of the year awards at the British Soap Awards for her turn as deranged ex- policewoman Kirsty.

Burnley-born Natalie left the soap in the spring after her domestic abuse storyline swept the board at a host of awards nights.

Back in 1995 Natalie, who grew up in Chatham Street, Colne, with mum Imogen, received her first break when she was selected to appear on a regional broadcast for Children in Need.

She was a later a regular in the BBC3 comedy Ideal, alongside comic Johnny Vegas, and also has credits in Emmerdale and Doctors.

Natalie, who was also a member of the Chippendale School of Dance in Pendle, is a graduate of the famed Italia Conti drama school.

She will be back in the spotlight as Strictly launches on BBC1 on Saturday at 6.50pm and thousands of viewers are expected to tune in see the stars learn cha-cha, salsa and foxtrot and more.

Hosted by Bruce Forsythe and Tess Daly, Strictly Come Dancing sees the celebrities judged by Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussell. Also competing are model Abbey Clancy, Countdown’s Rachel Riley, BBC Breakfast’s Susanna Reid, actors Mark Benton, Ashley Taylor Dawson and Patrick Robinson, and fashion designer Julien Macdonald.