Lynda Bellingham Set For 'Strictly Come Dancing'

Lynda Bellingham is to compete on 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

The 'Loose Women' panellist will be a contestant on the BBC One ballroom dancing show, which returns to screens next month.

Lynda will reportedly be joined by Jo Wood - the estranged wife of Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood - 'Crimewatch' presenter Rav Wilding, former 'Footballers' Wives' stars Zoe Lucker and Laila Rouass and world super middleweight champion boxer Joe Calzaghe on the show.

The recruitment of 61-year-old Lynda to the programme will hopefully help diffuse accusations of ageism, after it was announced judge Arlene Philips, 66, is to be replaced with 30-year-old singer Alesha Dixon on this year's series.

A source told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "Lynda is a great signing and hopefully her appearance helps to illustrate there is no age bias.

"We want a fresh and varied line-up and we know Lynda would be a handful.

"Having seen her on Loose Women, she will give as good as she gets if things get heated in training or in front of the judges."

'Strictly Come Dancing' will see 16 celebrity contestants and their professional partners dance off against each other.