A former Forest resident is set to swap gritty headline for glittery hemlines as she looks to bring glory to the district.

BBC news anchor Kate Silverton was confirmed as the latest addition to Strictly Come Dancing 2018 earlier this week.

Before she became a staple on the nation's televisions, Silverton could be seen walking the streets of Waltham Abbey.

Born to black-cab driver turned registered hypnotherapist Terry and nursery teacher Patricia, the now 48 year-old attended West Hatch High School in Chigwell.

There she became a junior swimming champion and earned the Queen's Guide Award.

As she worked hard at school and on the sports track, she took on a part-time job at Phillpotts, a new closed cafe on Church Street that had no qualms with hiring a 13 year-old.

A psychology degree at Durham preceded her working in a bank before she jumped into the world of news with Look North, The Wright Stuff and then various positions within the BBC.

When asked by The Guardian what it would mean for her to become Waltham Abbey's first Strictly champion, she said: "Let’s not count chickens - I have currently just two days of dance experience.

"Yesterday I experienced my first lift ever with Graziano DiPrima and I am simply hoping his back survived and that I make it through the first proper week."