When your day job of filming series 5 of Call the Midwife begins to wind down in the not-too-distant future, just what does one do to occupy your new found free time? For Helen George, who plays Nurse Beatrix ‘Trixie’ Franklin, aside from running in the recent London Marathon, you sign up for the forthcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, obviously. Makes perfect sense given the somewhat boy-mad Trixie’s love for dancing, don’t you think? It also makes sense in real-life as George, who trained in musical theater at the Royal Academy of Music and, besides her stint at Nonnatus House, sports an lengthy list of theater credits including Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Woman in White, Into the Woods and a Midsummer Night’s Dream.

While she does admit to being a bit terrified, it’s time to don the leg warmers and head to endless hours and hours of dance rehearsals and a strict exercise regime much like Good Life and Rosemary & Thyme star, Felicity Kendal put herself through back in 2010 when she was preparing for the competition. I still think she should have made the finals that year. Unfortunately, for those who reside outside the UK, you’ll be once again subjected to whatever former Hollywood Squares center square star or ex-NFL wide receiver Dancing with the Stars can trot out for the American competition.

“I’m really excited to be joining Strictly. I know it’s going to be a challenge and if I’m honest I’m slightly terrified, but I can’t wait to get my tan and sequins on!” George said. Much like its’ American counterpart, once the final list of celebrity competitors is nailed down, they will then each be paired up with their professional dance partners for the competition. George’s competition this year?  Those confirmed so far, according to Radio Times, include Daniel O’Donnell, Anthony Ogogo, Peter Andre, Carol Kirkwood, Katie Derham, Jeremy Vine, Ainsley Harriott, Kellie Bright and Georgia May Foote, amongst others.

Think I’m going to go out on a limb from the outset and predict that the Call the Midwife star makes it to the finals. What do you think?