SOAP star Gemma Atkinson has become the fourth celebrity to join the Strictly Come Dancing line-up.

The 32-year-old, who is the president of Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in Edenfield, joins the line-up of stars already announced which includes presenter Ruth Langsford, Eastenders star Davood Ghadami and The Saturdays singer Mollie King.

The announcement was made on BBC Breakfast and Gemma, who rose to fame as Lisa Hunter in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks, said: ”I felt so snide lying to all my family. I can finally say ‘I’m doing it’, I’m sorry for lying.”

In an official statement, she added: “I am honoured to be asked and so thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing 2017.

“I’m beyond excited and incredibly nervous but I am looking forward to learning a new skill in ballroom and Latin dancing and taking on this new challenge.”

She has also appeared in The Bill, Waterloo Road and hosts a breakfast radio show on Manchester’s Key 103.

While her most recent TV appearance saw her play Carly Hope, the daughter of Bob Hope in Emmerdale, but she left the soap in June this year.

And Gemma became the vice president of Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in Edenfield in April this year.

The Emmerdale actress took over from Ted Robbins, who stepped down to occupy the vice president role.

Bleakholt’s operations manager Stuart Murray said: “Everyone at Bleakholt is backing Gemma on Strictly. We can’t wait to see how she does.

“Gemma is our president and is a regular at the sanctuary and we will all be cheering her on.”

Gemma, who is a 'massive animal lover”, also organised the recent black tie ball for Bleakholt’s 60th anniversary.

And the 5ft 9in actress, hopes she is paired with a 'tall and strong pro' on the new BBC 1 series, as Gemma said her one fear was being dropped by her Strictly Come Dancing partner because of her height.

She said: “I’m 5ft 9in, I’m big for a girl, so as long as it’s (her dance partner) someone tall and strong because I don’t want someone lifting me and dropping me. That’s my only fear, being dropped.”

The official date of Strictly Come Dancing is yet to be announced, but each series starts at the end of September and continues on until the final just before Christmas.