Former EastEnders actress Tamzin Outhwaite is said to be on the verge of signing up for this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

The 49-year-old revealed last year that 2020 would be the final series she would consider appearing on as she is keen to take on the challenge before turning 50.

According to The Mirror, Outhwaite has been holding talks with the BBC and is now "close to signing up" for the show.

Producers have recently confirmed that due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year's series will be shorter and not start until October - with one report suggesting that the run has been cut from 13 weeks down to nine.

Outhwaite played the part of Mel Owen on EastEnders from 1998 to 2002, reprising the role in 2018 until the character was killed off last year.

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