Linda Robson turned down 'Strictly Come Dancing' because she doesn't want to be a "joke".

Linda Robson

Linda Robson

The 'Birds of a Feather' actress was approached to appear on the new series of the BBC dance contest but declined the offer because she knows she wouldn't be able to remember the routines.

She said: "You have to know your capabilities. I could not learn one routine.

"I did 'Let's Dance For Sport Relief' and I could not remember the routine and I had three weeks to learn it.

"I would be the joke one if I went on the show and I don't want that. I don't mind people laughing with me but my kids would be traumatised."

However, the 57-year-old actress thinks her 'Birds of a Feather' co-star Lesley Joseph, 69, would do brilliantly on the show, despite older contestants not usually making it through to the later rounds of the competition.

She added to the Daily Star newspaper: "Lesley would be good. She would be fantastic."

While Linda won't be taking part, Jamelia, Peter Andre, Michelle Heaton and Shane Richie are expected to be among the famous faces competing for the mirrorball trophy when the programme returns later this year.