Emma Barton will be dancing in memory of her late nan on 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

Emma Barton

Emma Barton

The 42-year-old actress - who is best known for playing Honey Mitchell in 'EastEnders' - has revealed she plans to honour her beloved grandmother during her time on the BBC programme.

She told the Daily Star Sunday newspaper: "I lost my nan at the beginning of the year. She would have loved to see me on 'Strictly'. She loved the show. I just wish she was alive.

"It's the only bit of this experience that I'm upset about. She was really supportive of everything I've done."

Emma explained that she'll be thinking of her grandmother when she takes to the floor on 'Strictly'.

She said: "I will 100 percent be thinking about her when I'm dancing, of course. I will be doing it for her.

"You can see as a viewer how emotional 'Strictly' can be. But I'm going to laugh a lot too. I'm going to make it all about the fun."

Emma is following in the footsteps of other 'EastEnders' actors who have appeared - and thrived - on 'Strictly'.

And she's admitted to feeling under pressure to match their performances.

She shared: "Every year we wonder which one of us is going to be picked. There's always a rumour mill and we second guess who it's going to be.

"This year I've had to keep it from everyone because I wasn't allowed to say anything.

"Now I'm doing it, there are big shoes to fill. Everyone from 'EastEnders' has done brilliantly - Kara Tointon, Jill Halfpenny, Scott Maslen, Jake Wood, Kellie Bright.

"They've all been really supportive and given me lots of good tips. They said to eat well, sleep well and make sure I don't fall down the stairs!"


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