Call The Midwife star Helen George is swapping babies for ballroom as she joins the Strictly Come Dancing line-up.

BBC One controller Charlotte Moore confirmed the news at Edinburgh International Television Festival.

Helen said she’s “really excited” about joining the show.

Helen George is joining Strictly
(BBC)

“I know it’s going to be a challenge and if I’m honest I’m slightly terrified, but I can’t wait to get my tan and sequins on,” she said.

Viewers will have seen her recently on screen playing Nurse Trixie Franklin in the popular BBC One drama. She’s also got an extensive theatre repertoire, with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Woman in White among her impressive credits.

Other career highlights of hers include performing as a backing singer for Sir Elton John.

She brings the total number of celebrity contestants announced to 13. The other 12 celebrities confirmed are: Jamelia, Jeremy Vine, Ainsley Harriott, Kellie Bright, Georgia May Foote, Katie Derham, Carol Kirkwood, Peter Andre, Daniel O’Donnell, Anthony Ogogo, Jay McGuiness and Anita Rani.

The final two contestants are due to be announced on BBC One’s The One Show at 7pm on 27 August.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One for its 13th series in September.