'Strictly Come Dancing': 'EastEnders' Actress Kellie Bright Reveals Emotional Reason For Signing Up

Kellie Bright Reveals Emotional 'Strictly' Motivation
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Kellie Bright has revealed the emotional reason behind her decision to sign up for this year’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.

The ‘EastEnders’ actress, best known for playing Linda Carter in the BBC soap, is currently in training for this year’s first live show, having been partnered with professional ballroom star Kevin Clifton.

However, while she’s spoken about her excitement ahead of this year’s series, she’s also spoken about her emotional motivation for taking part.

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Kellie Bright

Opening up in the latest issue of Star magazine, she says: “My nana Joy died recently and she’s the reason I ended up performing at all.

“She was the life and soul of everything, and she would have loved every second of this.

“I’m doing it for her.”

Last week, Kellie told HuffPost UK about the support she’s receiving over her ‘Strictly’ appearance from her soap husband, Danny Dyer.

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Kellie and Danny behind the bar at the Queen Vic

“And I tell him, ‘It’s just like taking direction, they’re only there trying to make you better.’ But he’s just like, ‘Oh I couldn’t cope with that.’”

Also taking part in this year’s ‘Strictly’ include Kellie’s fellow soap actress, Georgia May Foote, weather presenter Carol Kirkwood and ‘Mysterious Girl’ singer, Peter Andre.

'Strictly Come Dancing': All The Winners
Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole(01 of12)
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Newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky was the first star to ever triumph in the inaugural series of 'Strictly Come Dancing', back in 2004, when there were just seven competitors to beat.Having obviously been a hit with 'Strictly' viewers, she was later chosen to cover for regular presenter Tess Daly, when she went on maternity leave. (credit:BBC)
Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennet(02 of12)
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Clearly sensing they were onto a winner, the BBC decided to kick-start the second series of 'Strictly' just three months after Natasha Kaplinsky's victory, securing its spot in the Saturday night schedule in the latter half of the year.Jill Halfpenny was crowned winner second time around, along with her partner, Darren Bennet. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova(03 of12)
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Darren became the first male celebrity to triumph in the 'Strictly Come Dancing' final in 2005, beating Colin Jackson and eventual 'It Takes Two' presenter Zoe Ball in the process. (credit:Michael Boyd/PA Archive)
Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy(04 of12)
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Cricket player Mark Ramprakash took home the glitter-ball trophy a year later.Here he is performing with his professional partner, Karen Hardy, at the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year Awards a year after his victory. (credit:David Davies/PA Archive)
Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler(05 of12)
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'Strictly' helped breathe new life into Alesha's career, when she and partner Matthew Cutler were crowned winners.Her smash hit solo single 'The Boy Does Nothing' followed soon after, not to mention a spot on the 'Strictly' judging panel... until Simon Cowell decided to snare her for 'BGT', that is. (credit:BBC)
Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup(06 of12)
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'Holby City' actor Tom Chambers' public profile skyrocketed, when he and his professional partner, Camilla Dallerup, were crowned winners of the sixth series.They beat TV presenter Lisa Snowdon and 'Negotiate With Love' singer Rachel Stevens in the live final, back in 2008. (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)
Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan(07 of12)
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Chris Hollins gave professional dancer Ola Jordan her first, and so far only, win back in 2010. (credit:BBC)
Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev(08 of12)
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Kara and Artem had a double victory in 2010.Shortly after taking home the glitter-ball trophy, they announced that they were dating. (credit:Rowan Miles/PA Archive)
Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani(09 of12)
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Can we please just take a moment to appreciate this photo? (credit:David Jones/PA Archive)
Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace(10 of12)
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The tenth series was won by Olympian Louis Smith and his professional partner, Flavia Cacace. (credit:Georgie Gillard/Associated Newspapers/REX)
Abbey Clancy and Aljaž Skorjanec(11 of12)
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In the first ever all-female 'Strictly' final, Abbey beat Susanna Reid and Natalie Gumede to the glitter-ball trophy.Fourth place was also a female contestant, with Sophie Ellis-Bextor leaving the competition at the semi-final stage. (credit:Rui Vieira/PA Archive)
Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev(12 of12)
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And then there was the most recent 'Strictly' winner, Caroline Flack, who took part in the competition less than a year after leaving 'X Factor' spin-off show, 'Xtra Factor'.Apparently sensing her popularity was on the rise, Simon Cowell quickly signed her up to host the main show, alongside Olly Murs. (credit:BBC)