Judy Murray to appear on Strictly Come Dancing

New ballrooms please! Judy Murray is confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing. Picture: PA

The mother of former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray made the announcement via the official Strictly Twitter account, posing with one of the famous score paddles from the show.

Born in Bridge of Allan, Judy qualified as a tennis coach aged 17 and went on to become the eighth best female player in the UK.

She said: “I’m a huge Strictly fan but a total armchair dancer. It’s going to be a big challenge for me and for whoever has to dance with me. I absolutely can’t wait to get started.”

Murray, 54, was said to be in talks with show bosses during the summer as Andy tried to defend his 2013 Wimbledon title but crashed out to Grigor Dimitrov.

At the time she claimed Andy had made up her mind by telling her that she couldn’t dance: “It was on the front page of the papers during Wimbledon and Andy asked me about it.

“I said ‘no’ and he said ‘thank God for that, you would be absolutely terrible’ which I would. I think it’s just a rumour so no, definitely not.”

Murray is a long-term fan of the popular show and previously told how she would love Russia’s Artem Chigvintsev as a dance partner.

She said: “If I was going to dance with somebody, it would definitely be Artem. I think Artem is a phenomenal dancer. His chest isn’t bad either.”

It appears that she may now get her wish as she joins Frankie Bridge from pop act The Saturdays on the show, who last week announced she too will be taking part.

The 25-year-old said: “I’m such a huge fan of Strictly ! I’ve always wanted to be a part of the show – it looks like so much fun and the costumes are just gorgeous.

“Like so many little girls, I used to take dance lessons when I was in primary school and I really love dancing but this is going to be so different from anything I have done with The Saturdays. I just can’t wait to get started!”

The pair will compete against 13 other celebrities for the prestigious glitter ball trophy. Ross Kemp, Alan Hansen and The Only Way Is Essex’s Mark Wright are among those also rumoured to be signed up.

Strictly Come Dancing presenter Sir Bruce Forsyth announced earlier this year that he was retiring from the series, although he may still appear in one-off specials.

Current co-host Tess Daly will be joined by Claudia Winkleman when the show returns later this year.

The BBC are understood to have turned to Judy Murray after reportedly failing to convince Murray’s girlfriend, Kim Sears, to compete.