Natalie Gumede (born 20 March 1984) is an English actress. She is best known for playing Kirsty Soames in the ITV1 soap opera Coronation Street from 2011 to 2013. She previously played China in BBC Three comedy show Ideal. She has also appeared in The Persuasionists, Emmerdale and Doctor Who among other television shows. Gumede was a runner-up in the 2013 series of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One.