She’s gearing up to train for her stint on BBC One’s competition series Strictly Come Dancing.
And Maisie Smith ensured she enjoyed her last moments of leisure as she took advantage of the sunny weather and hopped on a bus ride to Southend On Sea earlier this month.
The EastEnders star, 19, couldn’t contain her happiness as she went sightseeing around the resort town with her friends and family before her few busy months.
Fun-filled: Maisie Smith took advantage of the sunny weather and hopped on a bus ride to Southend On Sea earlier this month before training for Strictly Come Dancing
The actress caught up with her loved ones as they engaged in a lively conversation on the open-top vehicle.
The soap star put on an uncharacteristically casual display as she dressed down in a red hooded cardigan.
The media personality maintained her low-key appearance with a pink crop top, light-wash jeans and vibrant trainers by Nike.
Cheery: The EastEnders star, 19, couldn’t contain her happiness as she went sightseeing around the resort town with her friends and family before a few busy months
Windswept: At one point, the thespian wore her sunglasses and covered her eyes with her clothes during the windy excursion
Prevention is better than cure: The TV star attempted to protect her eyes from the harsh breeze
In her element: The auburn-haired beauty ensured she enjoyed her last moments of leisure before embarking on her gruelling dance schedule
Proving less is more, the former child star appeared to go make-up free and wore her tresses in a low ponytail.
Maisie rounded things off by accessorising with cat-eye shades, which she wore on the crown of her head.
She is just days away from beginning training for Strictly’s new series, which will begin in October after being shortened due to the COVID-19 crisis, but is yet to even meet her professional dance partner.
Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh revealed that the contestants haven’t prepared for the show yet earlier this month, leaving 2013 contestant Susanna Reid shocked.
In good company: The actress caught up with her loved ones as they engaged in a lively conversation on the open-top vehicle
Off they go: The group were joined were other members of the public as they drove around Essex
In great spirits: The online sensation beamed as she soaked up the sights from her adventure
Say cheese! Marking the moment, Maisie got her sister Scarlett to take a snap of her on the moving bus
She said: ‘It’s all happening a bit later. We can’t – we’ve not met our partner yet. I am eating fewer Pringles if that counts towards training, but that’s as far as it got.’
It was recently claimed that the male professional dancers are in fierce competition to be partnered up with Maisie.
Maisie, who stars as Tiffany Butcher on her hit BBC soap, won Strictly’s Children In Need special alongside Kevin Clifton last year – making her a favourite to win.
Quenching her thirst: Maisie held onto a can of Diet Coke as she prepared to hop off the bus
Relaxed: The soap star put on an uncharacteristically casual display as she dressed down in a red hooded cardigan
Comfy: The media personality maintained her appearance with a pink crop top, light-wash jeans and vibrant trainers by Nike
On cloud nine: The Other Boleyn Girl star held her arms out as she went down a slide
Animated: She pulled a funny facial expression during her time on the beach
It’s also been reported she’s been the number one choice for the male pros, given her prior experience in the ballroom.
A source told The Sun: ‘All the male pros really want to partner with her, not just because she’s young and fit, but she’s also proven herself to be a brilliant dancer.
Meanwhile, the auburn-haired beauty also reportedly turned down a record deal – which promised to make her ‘the next Kylie Minogue’ – so that she could take part on Strictly this year.
Dynamic duo: The singer was joined by her mother Julia, who she regularly dances with in hilarious TikTok videos
All in the details: Maisie rounded things off by accessorising with cat-eye shades, which she wore on the crown of her head
Busy times ahead: She is just days away from beginning training for Strictly’s new series, which will begin in October after being shortened due to the COVID-19 crisis
She’s a favourite! It was recently claimed that the male professional dancers are in fierce competition to be partnered up with Maisie
She is said to have been told by BBC bosses that the singing career would need to be put on hold if she wanted to remain on EastEnders and take part in Strictly.
An insider added to the publication: ‘Maisie wants to crack the music industry and several labels think she is really marketable. One told her she could be the next Kylie, with her girl-next-door looks and down-to-earth personality.
‘But she was told she could not take a record deal and continue on EastEnders and Strictly due to the BBC’s commercial rules.’
End of the day: Later on, the teen donned a protective face mask as she returned to Leigh-on-Sea with her family
Strictly Come Dancing Contestants 2020
CAROLINE QUENTIN
Age: 60
Profession: Actress, known for roles in Men Behaving Badly and Jonathan Creek
Caroline says: ‘I hope my knees don’t let me down and I hope the foundation garments live up to expectations when I start leaping about!’
Fun fact: She met her now-husband, Sam Farmer in 1998 on the set of Men Behaving Badly when he was one of the studio runners.
MAX GEORGE
Age: 31
Profession: Singer – from former boy band The Wanted
Max says: ‘Nan – I’m doing Strictly this year!’ as he vowed to make his superfan grandmother proud
Fun Fact: Max’s fellow The Wanted bandmate Jay McGuiness was on Strictlby Come Dancing in 2015 – and won it!
CLARA AMFO
Age: 36
Profession: Radio 1 presenter
Clara says: ‘As we know this year has been a real challenge and escapism through dancing is something I know we all enjoy’
Fun fact: Clara has some experience of celeb gameshows, having taken part on Celebrity Masterchef in 2018
BILL BAILEY
Age: 55
Profession: Comedian and TV personality
Clara says: ‘I’m not Lord of the Dance, more a sort of caretaker of the dance’
Fun fact: Bill is a classically trained musician and multi-instrumentalist
MAISIE SMITH
Age: 19
Profession: EastEnders actress
Maisie says: ‘Get me in those sequins, I can’t wait to dive into the Strictly fancy dress box this winter!’
Fun fact: Maisie won the 2019 Children In Need special of Strictly with Kevin Clifton
HRVY
Age: 21
Profession: YouTube star
HRVY says: ‘Being on Strictly is going to be such an amazing experience and I’m so thankful to be taking part this year.’
Fun fact: HRVY follows in the footsteps of former internet star contestants Joe Sugg and Saffron Barker – the latter of whom is close friends with him
JASON BELL
Age: 42
Profession: Retired American Football player – now a pundit
Jason says: ‘I am thrilled. I’m a huge fan of the show, I’ve been watching it since I came to this country, so it’s time for me to do something cool to impress my daughter, now that she can watch me perform!’
Fun Fact: Jason is the father of Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle’s daughter. The couple were together for 11 years, only splitting recently in 2019
RANVIR SINGH
Age: 43
Profession: ITV broadcaster, Political Editor for GMB
Ranvir says: ‘It feels like I’m on a rollercoaster… Hopefully after the first dance I will feel exhilarated rather than sick!’
Fun fact: Ranvir is the fourth GMB star to star following Susanna Reid, Richard Arnold and Charlotte Hawkins.
NICOLA ADAMS
Age: 37
Profession: Double Olympic gold medallist boxer
Nicola says: ‘I’m a huge fan of the show and am thrilled to be part of something that holds such a special place in so many people’s hearts’
Fun fact: Nicola will form the show’s first ever same-sex pairing as she is parterned with a female professional.
JJ CHALMERS
Age: 55 Profession: Comedian and TV personality Clara says: ‘I’m not Lord of the Dance, more a sort of caretaker of the dance’ Fun fact: Bill is a classically trained musician and multi-instrumentalist
Age: 33
Profession: Ex Royal Marine and Invictus Games medallist
JJ says: ‘Strictly is a whole different ball game in respect to the challenges I will face but I’m up for an adventure’
Fun fact: JJ is close friends with Prince Harry after they worked together on the Invictus Games
JAMIE LAING
Age: 31
Profession: Made In Chelsea star
Jamie says: ‘I’m over the moon I actually get to come back and dance again. It’s going to be unbelievably amazing!’
Fun fact: Jamie was forced to pull out of the 2019 series of Strictly after a foot injury
RT HON JACQUI SMITH
Age: 57
Profession: Politician
Jacqui says: ‘I was speechless with excitement at being asked to join Strictly – and that’s very rare for me…!’
Fun fact: Fifty years ago, she received a bronze medal for Scottish Highland Dancing