Natalie Cassidy

Natalie Cassidy hopes to shed weight by appearing on 'Strictly Come Dancing'. The ex-'EastEnders' actress - who dropped from a dress size 16 to an eight last year, but quickly piled the pounds back on -wants to use her appearance on the TV dancing show to help her get back in shape. A source said: "Natalie's thrilled. She is a huge fan and it's exactly what she needs to kick start her career.

"Since leaving 'EastEnders' she's not done a huge amount of acting and this could really boost her profile. Natalie really wants to get fit too."

The 26-year-old actress left the BBC soap in 2007, and has struggling to secure acting roles since.

After her dramatic weight loss last year she released a fitness DVD called 'The Then And Now Workout', but was heavily criticised when she soon regained the weight she'd lost.

The source added to Britain's The Sun newspaper: "Natalie knows she can lose weight, she just needs the motivation. She could have a new DVD out by Christmas.

"She's a big star and people really warm to her. Appearing on 'Strictly Come Dancing' is a dream come true for her."

Other star reportedly set to appear on the programme include Sharon Osbourne and 'Coronation Street's Reece Dinsdale.