Patsy Kensit is Strictly in samba mode

Kens-it's showtime! Strictly Come Dancing star Patsy learns how to be a showgirl as scantily-clad performers show her their tips.

The Holby City actress was instructed by sparkly bikini-wearing dancers on how to shimmy her way through a samba for the BBC1 show.

Kensit - who donned a Rio carnival-style headdress for rehearsals - will be giving viewers a glimpse of her Brazilian on Strictly this weekend.

The actress, who is partnered by professional Robin Windsor, has been wearing ever more adventurous outfits as the series has worn on.

The 42-year-old has acknowledged that the BBC1 show has helped her to lose a significant amount of weight.

However, she said she would not be following the lead of her skimpily-dressed tutors with their teeny-weeny outfits.

"My outfit will be much more modest than the ones I saw - after all I'm a mum and people will be eating their dinner," she said.

Windsor was impressed by his dance partner's performance when she popped on her sparkly headgear.

He said: "From the moment she put on the headdress, she became the showgirl I'm after."

Kensit said she doubts her chances of picking up the ever-elusive score of 10 from the judges, despite a boost in fortunes in recent weeks, and is happy just to remember the routine.

She added: "Getting a 10 is not going to happen - of course, it would be wonderful and miracles do happen.

"I just want to go out there and not forget the steps, if I could get a 10 for that, that would be great."

Windsor said: "For me, to get a 10 would be amazing.

"However, we did get a nine last week and eight the week before, so this week may get a 10. Patsy needs to give Len (Goodman) another kiss."