Molly Rainford has reportedly joined the cast of EastEnders as the daughter in a major new family moving in to Albert Square.
Earlier this week it emerged that the soap's executive producer Chris Clenshaw has drawn up plans to introduce a new family who will be centre of some major plots later this year.
Rainford, 22, is a singer and actress who gained a national profile when she appeared on last year's Strictly Come Dancing, reaching the final and finishing as a runner-up.
According to The Sun, she has been signed up to play the daughter of Walford's new family, who are rumoured to be taking over the Queen Vic.
"Molly joins a long line of former finalists who've gone on to bigger things than the competitors who've ultimately triumphed," a source told the newspaper.
"But anyone who saw her on Strictly could see the entertainment world was her oyster."
Veteran big-screen actor Ray Winstone has been linked with playing the patriarch of the family in what would be a big-name replacement for the recently-departed Danny Dyer.
EastEnders continues Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and from 6am on iPlayer.
Neil Wilkes
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