Martine McCutcheon: 'I won't do Strictly'

Martine McCutcheon has claimed that she will not accept an offer to compete on Strictly Come Dancing - because it would be "hard work".

The former EastEnders actress has been linked to the BBC show in the past and earlier this year admitted that she would consider taking part in a special - something she reiterated in an interview with RTÉ Ten.

"I love the show, I can't stop watching it but I don't think it's something I would want to do personally. It's such hard work and you have to give up everything else," she said. "I'm at the stage in my life where I like working hard but not to the point of exhaustion - been there, done that!"

She continued: "I would like to do a one-off special maybe, but at this point there are other things that aren't a reality show that I'm more into doing."

McCutcheon also confessed that she was worried appearing on a show which did not involve playing a character would affect the offers of work she receives.

"I think you have to be careful not to do too much as yourself," she said. "Otherwise you stop getting the acting roles and at the end of the day that's what I love."