Strictly Come Dancing 2017 line-up rumours: who will be the celebrity contestants this year?

EastEnders star Samantha Womack has been widely tipped for Strictly this year, but they seem to be forgetting that the actress will be playing Morticia in The Addams Family Musical world tour and will be abroad for long chunks of time. It's a long way from Singapore to Elstree.

Instead, our money would be on Womack's on-screen sister Rita Simons. Her character Roxy Mitchell was killed off in the New Year's Day episode of Strictly alongside Ronnie Mitchell (Womack), and she is much missed by soap fans.

Sure, Simons has landed her own post-EastEnders gig: she's starring in Legally Blonde the Musical. But the show is only touring the UK and Ireland, meaning Simons could probably juggle days of dancing and nights of acting. And there's always understudies.

Alexandra Burke

Former X Factor winner and West End star Alexandra Burke is rumoured to be heading for the ballroom. A spokesperson cryptically told The Sun that the idea of Burke taking part in Strictly was "nice".

Currently she's starring in Sister Act, directed and choreographed by none other than Craig Revel Horwood – but her last show is in Blackpool on 27th August, giving her time to prep before the Strictly launch in early September.