Strictly 2016: Birds of a Feather's Lesley Joseph signs up as oldest ever female contestant

Birds of a Feather actress Lesley Joseph would be the oldest female contestant to ever samba her way through Strictly Come Dancing after reportedly signing up to the hit BBC One show.

The 70-year-old star – best known for playing Dorien Green in the popular sitcom – would be competing alongside other celebrities rumoured to be appearing, including 41-year-old Louise Redknapp and television personality Judge Robert Rinder.

Will Young, Daisy Lowe and Laura Whitmore are also said to have signed up for the 2016 run, but Joseph would be the oldest female star to grace the show in its 14-year history. Johnny Ball and Paul Daniels have been the other older stars to appear on the ballroom-dancing series.

A source told The Sun: "Strictly bosses have wanted Lesley for years. She is determined not to just be the token older contestant."

It appears that Joseph has done a U-turn on her Strictly stance, previously stating that she would never participate in the show.

Speaking during 2010's Comic Relief, she said: "I would have liked to have done Strictly a few years ago, but I'm not so sure now."

Joseph will have a busy festive period ahead if she chooses to join the hit series, as she joins Pauline Quirke and Linda Robinson to film a Birds of a Feather Christmas special. The show would see the characters travel abroad for the first time in two decades.

Discussing the highly anticipated standalone episode, Joseph said: "I can't wait to put the nails back on and create havoc wherever we land. Seriously though, I couldn't be more happy to be working with two of my favourite people in the whole world."

Meanwhile, Strictly introduces three new dancers for the 2016 series: world champion Katya Jones, Ukrainian champion Oksana Platero and Spanish professional Gorka Marquez.

IBTimes UK has asked the BBC for comment.