Louise Redknapp just a quickstep from heaven as she joins Strictly line-up

Singer Louise Redknapp has been named as the sixth celebrity to compete in Strictly Come Dancing 2016.

The former Eternal girl group member will join Ed Balls, Will Young, Laura Whitmore, Melvin Odoom and Ore Oduba as contestants on the 14th series of the BBC's popular dancing show, which returns to screens in September.

Redknapp was a judge on the UK version of So You Think You Can Dance in 2010.

The 41-year-old, who is married to footballer and television pundit Jamie Redknapp, confirmed the news during Steve Wright's BBC Radio 2 show on Monday.

Redknapp said she was nervous about taking on Strictly Come Dancing, despite her previous experiences as a dancer.

She told Wright: "I always think there's different types of dancing. Dancing in Eternal in my caterpillar boots, doing a bit of running man, is not quite the tango.

"Also I've not been in a dance studio since I recorded Naked, which was 20 years ago."

She said she had been to stage school as a child, studying tap, ballet and modern jazz until the age of 16.

After that, her career as part of Eternal was less of a challenge in terms of dancing, as was her solo career.

Redknapp explained: "I'm so used to being able to do three steps and then walk around a bit."

The singer, who was previously known as Louise Nurding, said her husband was "mortified" she was taking part.

She said: "My husband is laughing at me, he's mortified because he's like, 'Whoever you get as a partner I feel sorry for'... He won't be practising with me at all."

She added: "He's got zero rhythm."

In a statement, mother-of-two Redknapp said: "I've sung in front of crowds of thousands before but the idea of stepping out onto that famous dance floor with a world class professional dancer gives me butterflies just thinking about it.

"I'm a big fan of the show and am definitely going to go out there and give it 100% as I want to make my boys proud."