EastEnders' Samantha Womack 'pretty much' confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing

EastEnders viewers were all left devastated when Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell were killed off on New Year’s Day, with actresses Samantha Womack and Rita Simons making no secret of their disappointment at being axed.

However, it turns out that there is definitely life after Albert Square for the Mitchell sisters, with Samantha – who played Ronnie in the BBC soap – apparently all-but-confirmed for this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The actress has reportedly been in talks with Strictly bosses for a while now, and show producers are confident that she’ll sign on the dotted line when the time comes.

A source explained: “Sam didn’t want to do Strictly while on ‘EastEnders’ but now she has more time on her hands it was a very appealing offer.

“It’s too early for contracts but she’s keen and the show are keen so it’s pretty much a done deal.”

Strictly were said to be keen to secure both Samantha and Rita for the ballroom show but Rita has snubbed the offer in favour of pursuing films instead.

She told The Sun: “I’m sticking my heels in and saying I want to be a gritty actor. I’m not knocking reality shows but it’s time for auditions and films.”

If Samantha does end up appearing on Strictly she’ll be following in the footsteps of her former EastEnders’ castmates, Jake Wood, Kellie Bright and Tameka Empson.

We reckon that she would be a fantastic addition to the line-up.