Strictly Come Dancing producers have reportedly made an approach for Hollyoaks actress Jennifer Metcalfe as this year's lineup begins to take shape.

The 36-year-old, who has played Mercedes McQueen on the soap for the last 14 years, previously appeared on ITV's Dancing On Ice in 2009.

According to The Mirror, Channel 4 is keen for Metcalfe to appear on the high-profile BBC ballroom show this autumn, with Hollyoaks due to celebrate its 25th anniversary in October.

"Soap stars always do well on Strictly and Jen is one of the most loved and sexiest out there right now," a Strictly source told the newspaper. "Everyone working on the show is very excited at the ­prospect of her signing.

"She's been at the centre of some of Hollyoaks' biggest ever storylines over the years. Only last year, her character was shot as she spun around a dance floor."

Should she sign up, Metcalfe would not be the first Hollyoaks star to take to the dancefloor, with Ricky Whittle, Danny Mac, Chelsee Healey and Ashley Taylor Dawson all having previously appeared.

> Every name in the frame for this year's Strictly Come Dancing