Fleur East joins cast of Coventry drama Phoenix Rise

TV and radio host Fleur East is to join the cast of Phoenix Rise, a BBC drama set at a high school.

She will play an inspirational music teacher in series three and four of the Coventry-based drama, with filming currently under way in the city.

The show follows a group of young outsiders returning to mainstream education after being excluded.

Series two is available to watch from Monday on BBC iPlayer.

"I'm thrilled to be a part of Phoenix Rise. There is so much raw talent and I've been soaking up the experience like a sponge," said East, a co-host on Strictly It Takes Two.

"The cast and crew are amazing to work with and the scripts are real, gritty, funny and heart-warming.

"I can't wait for everyone to be introduced to my character Miss Meesha - she's a ball of energy."

Filming for 20 new episodes is taking place on location in and around Coventry, including at former Further Education campus, Henley College.

The critically-acclaimed drama centres on six students who meet regularly in a disused boiler room at their school, an abandoned space which becomes their sanctuary.