Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley have been asked "many times" to compete on 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders

Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders

The 'Absolutely Fabulous' stars have admitted they've been approached on numerous occasions by BBC bosses to join the Ballroom and Latin show but they've kindly declined every offer because they think they'd be "tragic" on the dance floor.

When asked if they'd consider joining the glitzy programme in the future, Joanna, 70, told The Sun newspaper: "Never. I wouldn't even get the poor old granny vote!"

And Jennifer, 57, added: "I've seen enough people who dance tragic to know it's not for me."

Meanwhile, this year's series, which will hit screens in the autumn, has been given a huge shake-up as three new dancers will join returning professionals including Anton du Beke, Brendan Cole and couple Kevin and Karen Clifton.

World Champion Katya Jones, Ukrainian Champion Oksana Platero and top Spanish dance professional Gorka Marquez will help to guide this year's celebrity contestants on the dance show, which features judges Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Darcey Bussell.

Pasha Kovalevsky, Aljaz Skorjanec, Giovanni Pernice, Natalie Lowe, Joanne Clifton, Janette Manrara and Oti Mabuse will also return to the programme as professionals.

The celebrity line-up is yet to be finalised but Laura Whitmore and Judge Rinder are rumoured to be taking part.