STRICTLY Come Dancing fans have been delighted to spot a familiar soap star sitting in the audience of the show this week.
In the opening scenes of Icon week, an EastEnders star was spotted clapping and cheering as the show began.
Actress Natalie Cassidy, who is best known for her time on screen as Sonia Fowler (now Sonia Jackson) in the BBC soap, was spotted as the camera panned around the audience.
Spotted clapping, she’s thought to be there to support her soap co-star Jamie Borthwick as he competes to survive another week.
As Natalie’s appearance was captured on camera, viewers at home have gone wild for her being at the show.
Taking to social media, one Strictly viewer wrote: “Natalie Cassidy in the #strictly audience! Now she IS an icon.”
Another shared: “Fudge me they’re let Sonia Jackson out on day release.”
“Sonia has escaped prison, she is in the audience,” posted a third.
Another viewer pointed out that this isn’t the first time Natalie has graced the Strictly studio, as she’s previously taken part as a contestant.
They wrote: “Natalie Cassidy did Strictly back in 2009 when Chris Hollins won.”
Also spotted in the opening shots of the show was actor Layton Williams, who last year reached the finals alongside professional partner Nikita Kuzmin.
The pair narrowly lost out on lifting the Glitterball trophy last year, with Vito Coppola and actress Ellie Leach being crowned the 2023 winners.
A viewer posted on X: “Awww Layton in the audience.”
“Layton in the audience for icons week is incredibly apt,” shared another.
This week the show’s theme is Icons Week, which is a first for the BBC dancing programme.
The TV programme includes performances from Pete Wicks dressed as Freddie Mercury, hockey player Sam Quek as Taylor Swift and comedian Chris Causland as a member of rock band KISS.
