'Strictly Come Dancing' contestant Natalie Gumede has defended herself against critics who have claimed she shouldn't be allowed to compete on the show due to her previous dance experience.
Earlier this week a tabloid uncovered that the actress - who played husband beater Kirsty Soames on 'Coronation Street' - has been dancing since the age of three, calling her place on 'Strictly' in to question.
Natalie Gumede
However, she insisted to reporters including HuffPost UK at the recording of the show's premiere on Wednesday, that she has never danced professionally.
"I'm an actor who went to stage school, so yes I've danced before," she admitted.
"I danced as a child, but I haven't done ballroom and I've never done it professionally.
"I've got a lot to learn in a different way. It's a very different discipline to things like ballet and modern, so I'm looking forward to that.
"We're all coming from different places to it and anything else is up to the audience to decide, I think," she added.
Strictly Come Dancing line up
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(01 of16)
Abbey ClancyAge: 27Best know for: Modelling and being married to England footballer Peter Crouch. She also presents fashion segments on 'This Morning'. Odds: 5/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(02 of16)
Rachel RileyAge: 27Best known for: Taking over from Carol Vorderman as the letters and numbers whizz on 'Countdown'. Odds: 4/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(03 of16)
Sophie Ellis-BextorAge: 34Best known for: Being a singer, with hits such as 'Murder On The Dance Floor' and 'If This Ain't Love'. She's also the daughter of former 'Blue Peter' presenter Janet Ellis. Odds: 6/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(04 of16)
Vanessa FeltzAge: 51Best known for: Her 90s chat show 'Vanessa'. She now presents her own radio show on BBC London and Radio 2, and famously had a meltdown on 'Celebrity Big Brother' in 2001. Odds: 50/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(05 of16)
Deborah MeadenAge: 54Best known for: Being a Dragon on BBC Two business show 'Dragons' Den'. Odds: 40/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(06 of16)
Susanna ReidAge: 42Best known for: Presenting 'BBC Breakfast' with Bill Turnbull. She also appeared on a 'Children In Need' special of the show with fellow newsreaders in 2012. Odds: 8/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(07 of16)
Natalie GumedeAge: 29Best known for: Playing husband beater Kirsty Soames on 'Coronation Street'. Odds: 6/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(08 of16)
Fiona FullertonAge: 56Best known for: Her roles as Bond girl Pola Ivanova in 1985's 'A View to a Kill' and as Alice in 1972 film 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'.Odds: 20/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(09 of16)
Ashley Taylor DawsonAge: 31Best known for: His role as Darren Osborne in Channel 4 soap 'Hollyoaks'. He also used to be in pop band allSTARS*.Odds: 10/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(10 of16)
Ben CohenAge: 34Best known for: Being a rugby union player, and being a gay icon after establishing The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation to combat homophobia and bullying.Odds: 6/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(11 of16)
Patrick RobinsonAge: 49Best known for: Playing Martin "Ash" Ashford on 'Casualty'.Odds: 20/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(12 of16)
Julien MacdonaldAge: 42Best known for: Being a fashion designer, as well as having a famous spat with Cheryl Cole in 2011. Odds: 16/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(13 of16)
Mark BentonAge: 47Best known for: Starring in 'Waterloo Road' as maths teacher Daniel 'Chalky' Chalk.Odds: 40/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(14 of16)
Dave MyersAge: 56Best known for: Being one half of TV chef duo The Hairy Bikers. Odds: 50/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(15 of16)
Tony JacklinAge: 69Best known for: Being an English pro golfer.Odds: 50/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(16 of16)
(credit:BBC)
Natalie also said that appearing on the BBC ballroom show would help her shed her image as the Street's Kirsty.
"It will become apparent very quickly that I'm nothing like Kirsty. She was a rather dark, troubled, aggressive character and I think I'll have left her behind," she said.
The 'Strictly Come Dancing' launch show airs on Saturday at 6.50pm on BBC One.
Strictly Come Dancing press launch
Strictly Come Dancing Photocall - London(01 of91)
Rachel Riley arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
Strictly Come Dancing Photocall - London(02 of91)
Rachel Riley arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Abbey Clancy arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Julien Macdonald arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Natalie Gumede arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Patrick Robinson arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Fiona Fullerton arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Sophie Ellis-Bextor arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Mark Benton arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Ben Cohen arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Patrick Robinson arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Fiona Fullerton arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Julien Macdonald arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Julien Macdonald arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Mark Benton arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Mark Benton arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Tony Jacklin arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Vanessa Feltz arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Vanessa Feltz arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Deborah Meaden arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Deborah Meaden arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Deborah Meaden arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Deborah Meaden arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Deborah Meaden arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Susanna Reid arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Susanna Reid arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Natalie Gumede arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Natalie Gumede arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Susanna Reid arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Susanna Reid arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Abbey Clancy arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Rachel Riley arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Rachel Riley arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Rachel Riley arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Sophie Ellis-Bextor arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Dave Myers arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Ben Cohen arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Ben Cohen arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Ashley Taylor Dawson arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Dave Myers arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Dave Myers arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Dave Myers arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Ben Cohen, Natalie Gumede (left) and Fiona Fullerton arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Ben Cohen, Natalie Gumede (left) and Fiona Fullerton arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
Strictly Come Dancing Photocall - London(45 of91)
Abbey Clancy and Patrick Robinson arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
Strictly Come Dancing Photocall - London(46 of91)
Abbey Clancy and Patrick Robinson arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
Strictly Come Dancing Photocall - London(47 of91)
Abbey Clancy and Patrick Robinson arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Abbey Clancy and Patrick Robinson arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Vanessa Feltz and Julien Macdonald arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
Strictly Come Dancing Photocall - London(50 of91)
Deborah Meaden and Dave Myers arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
Strictly Come Dancing Photocall - London(51 of91)
Rachel Riley and Mark Benton arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
Strictly Come Dancing Photocall - London(52 of91)
Rachel Riley and Mark Benton arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
Strictly Come Dancing Photocall - London(53 of91)
Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Ashley Taylor Dawson arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
Strictly Come Dancing Photocall - London(54 of91)
Tony Jacklin and Susanna Reid arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Deborah Meaden and Dave Myers arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Deborah Meaden and Dave Myers arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Abbey Clancy and Patrick Robinson arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Abbey Clancy and Patrick Robinson arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Vanessa Feltz and Julien Macdonald arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Professional dancer Iveta Lukosiute arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Professional dancers Anton du Beke and Aljaz Skorjanec (right) arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Professional dancer Aliona Vilani arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Professional dancer Brendan Cole arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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The Professional dancers arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Professional dancers Ola and James Jordan arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Judge Bruno Tonioli arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Judge Bruno Tonioli arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Judge Darcey Bussell arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Judge Darcey Bussell arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Judge Bruno Tonioli arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Judge Bruno Tonioli arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Judge Darcey Bussell arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Judge Len Goodman arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Judge Len Goodman arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Judge Len Goodman arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Judge Len Goodman arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Judge Len Goodman arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Presenter Tess Daly arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Presenter Sir Bruce Forsyth arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Presenter Tess Daly arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Presenter Tess Daly arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Presenter Tess Daly arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Presenters Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Presenters Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Presenters Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Presenters Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Presenter Sir Bruce Forsyth arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Presenter Sir Bruce Forsyth arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Presenters Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)
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Presenter Sir Bruce Forsyth arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London. (credit:PA)