Preeya Kalidas: 'My album will surprise'

Preeya Kalidas has predicted that people will be "surprised" when they hear the quality of her debut album.

The former EastEnders actress releases her first single 'Shimmy' on July 26, while the track's parent disc is expected to follow later in the year.

Speaking to the Sunday Mirror about her musical ambitions, Kalidas commented: "It's been years since a soap actress has managed to make that transition into the pop charts. But I've worked hard.

"I think people will be surprised with the album. I'm getting great feedback."

'Shimmy' features a rap from hip-hop star Mumzy Stranger. Kalidas has previously described the song as "so sassy" and a "real brew of sexiness and ethnicity".

The 29-year-old bowed out of EastEnders earlier this year and is currently signed to Mercury Records.