Holby City’s Chizzy Akudolu becomes the latest star to sign up for Strictly Come Dancing

Holby City’s Chizzy Akudolu is the latest star to join the 2017 Strictly Come Dancing line-up.

The actress is best known for playing heart surgeon Mo Effanga in the BBC hospital series, a role she gave up this year.

Akudolu revealed that after a disappointment in a dancing competition as a teenager, she’s looking forward to making an impact on the Strictly floor.

In a statement, she said: “When I was 13, I made the finals of a disco dancing competition once but there was this amazing girl who exploded onto the stage with a gorgeous sequined costume, throwing glitter everywhere… I knew it was game over for me.

“That was then, this is now and this is my chance to have even more sequins!”

The 43-year-old isn’t the only Holby City alumnus to sign up for this year's show. It was revealed earlier this month that Joe McFadden would also be donning his dancing shoes.

GMB presenter Charlotte Hawkins is another name on the 2017 roster of celebrities, joining the likes of Susan Calman, Aston Merrygold, Gemma Atkinson Reverend Richard Coles, Davood Ghadami, Mollie King and Ruth Langsford.

The series will also see Shirley Ballas make her debut as head judge, replacing Len Goodman on the panel alongside regulars Darcey Bussell, Craig Revel Howood and Bruno Tonioli.

​Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are set to return as hosts, with Zoe Ball fronting sister show It Takes Two.

The cast are expected to pay tribute to long-time presenter of the series Bruce Forsyth, who died last week aged 89, in the first episode of the new series.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One this autumn.