Strictly Come Dancing: it's sports stars v soap stars

Soap actors and sports stars dominate this year's Strictly Come Dancing lineup, while there is also a hefty dollop of "who?". For every international tennis player, there is the guy who fronts the sports news on BBC Breakfast.

The BBC unveiled the 16 celebrities and their professional dance partners who will take part in the seventh series of the hit dancing reality show – and attempt to follow in the footsteps of last year's winner Tom Chambers – at the Bloomsbury Ballroom in central London earlier today.

This launch took place under the shadow of the negative coverage picked up since the replacement of 66-year-old judge Arlene Phillips with 30-year-old singer Alesha Dixon, as well as the switching of older dancers with new ones. None of the judges were at the launch this morning, while BBC1 controller Jay Hunt, who made the decision to axe Phillips, didn't take questions and didn't hang around to be asked.

This year's series will launch with separate shows on Friday and Saturday for its first two weeks from September 18, when the contestants will be split into two groups and dance ballroom on the first night and Latin on the second. From week three, the show will take over Saturday nights with one long episode, including the results.

Bruce Forsyth opened proceedings at this morning's launch with a rant at the gathered press for what he saw was the misreporting of the ratings for last year's show, when The X Factor beat Strictly for the first time.

To the surprise of the gathered BBC executives and PRs, Brucie ordered the house lights up and handed out a crib sheet to journos listing each of last year's shows and their ratings. To startled looks from the BBC minions and sighs from the media, Brucie then started to go through the list line by line. After deciding he had made his point, he carried on with the presentation. A slightly shambolic start to the unveiling of the celebrities didn't help matters, although by that point the assembled hacks were too busy scribbling down names and asking each other "who?".

After their unveiling, the celebrities and their dancers were then ushered to the waiting tables of press for round-table interviews. So, who is on the show this year and what did they have to say for themselves?

The women

Loose Women presenter Lynda Bellingham, partnered with Darren Bennett
Former Oxo ad star Bellingham had the most to say for herself (as you would expect, given her day job). She denied she had been brought in as an answer to the ageism claims that hit the show. "You can't say this show is ageist," she said. "They have had someone from every walk of life from the beginning. That is what makes it so lovely. Age is not a barrier, it is whether you can dance or not. That is what this show is about. It is an entertainment show, not real life."

The Bill actor Ali Bastian, who is partnered with Brian Fortuna
One of the few contestants to have a regular day job, Bastian – who previously appeared in Hollyoaks – said juggling schedules would be tough. "Trying to fit the training around my filming, it is going to be exhausting," she said. "But this is just an incredible opportunity and something I have always wanted to do."

Former EastEnders actor Natalie Cassidy, partnered with Vincent Simone
After leaving the soap and flogging a few fitness DVDs, Cassidy is ready to hit the dancefloor. "I feel like I've won already," she said.

Wimbledon champion Martina Hingis, partnered with Matthew Cutler
The tennis player, who is currently on a two-year ban from the game following a positive test for cocaine, seemed slightly bemused as to what she had got herself involved in. She said her manager had put her forward, and wanted viewers to see her in a new light. "I just want to put all of that behind me," she said, referring to her ban. "This is a new challenge. I want people to see a different side to me. I have changed a lot and I have calmed down." She claimed to love the UK show, although admitted she had only seen clips on YouTube. Did she have any idea who the other contestants were? No, she said, aside from Olympic athlete Jade Johnson. A lot of members of the press nodded in agreement.

Long jumper Jade Johnson, partnered with Ian Waite
Johnson said she thought the number of sports people in the lineup would mean it was more competitive than ever. "We all know what it is like to want to win," she said.

Former Footballer's Wives actor Zoe Lucker, partnered with James Jordan
Lucker said she didn't know that her Footballer's Wives co-star Laila Rouass was also in the lineup until today, adding that she was desperately trying to battle her nerves. "I have been a fan of the show for years," she said. "I have always enjoyed watching it, but until now my nerves have always prevented me from thinking of doing it. We have had one day of training and it is terrifying."

Former Footballer's Wives actor Laila Rouass, partnered with Anton Du Beke
Probably the least well-known of the women, although she is paired with the more high-profile Du Beke. "Whatever happens and however far I go with this thing, I just want to enjoy the journey." Ten points already for using the "journey" cliché so early on.

Jo Wood, estranged wife of Rolling Stones member Ronnie Wood, partnered with Brendan Cole
Wood admitted she wouldn't have done the show if she was still with her husband. "I wouldn't be doing this if I was still with Ronnie, but now I am doing things with my life that I never dreamed I would be doing," she said. Cole, normally one of the most outspoken of the professional dancers, towed the party line in not criticising the BBC's decision to axe Phillips, although he still said more than any of the others. "Obviously it is a shame," he added. "The show has lost someone who has such a big presence, but it is not my decision. Obviously I have my own thoughts, but I am not going to share them. It is their decision. I am not going to lose my job over it [by commenting].

The men

Undefeated boxing world champion Joe Calzaghe, partnered with Kristina Rihanoff
Calzaghe, the friendliest of all the contestants, said it would make a change for his children to see him dancing on TV as opposed to fighting. "My boys are really happy I am doing Strictly," he said. "It will be a change for them watching their dad dance instead of being hit." He added with a smile: "I am used to being the twinkletoes in the ring and now I am going to be the twinkletoes of the dancefloor." Although in case he doesn't find favour with the judges, he already has a way of dealing with them. "I will just give them daggers and a pretty mean look." As long as you don't use your fists, Joe.

Former jockey Richard Dunwoody, partnered with Lilia Kopylova
Despite the number of sports people who have taken part in the show, Dunwoody is the first jockey. "My hopes are to do my best and to be honest my biggest fear is that I don't do my best," he said.

EastEnders actor Ricky Groves, dancing with Erin Boag
Groves denied he would be the John Sergeant of this year's show, although he said the only dancing he could do was the Michael Jackson moonwalk. "You don't look much like a dancer," one hack told him. "You don't look much of a journalist," he replied. Touché.

BBC Breakfast sports presenter Chris Hollins, partnered with Ola Jordan
Bill Turnbull-lite Hollins is probably one of the least well-known contestants. "I'm looking forward to meeting my all-time hero, Bruce Forsyth," he said. Just remind Brucie who you are first, Chris.

Queer as Folk actor Craig Kelly, partnered with Flavia Cacace
Kelly, who has also appeared in Coronation Street, said he didn't think appearing in a reality show would harm his career. "Of all the reality shows, this is a well respected one. You have to see it for what it is, an enormous amount of fun," he said. "How many people get this chance and this experience?" More than you'd think, Craig.

Former cricketer Phil Tufnell, partnered with Katya Virshilas
The I'm a Celebrity winner said he wasn't concerned about doing another reality show. "I don't really see this as a reality show," he said, mirroring the line taken by most of the other celebs. "I am here to learn how to dance and enjoy myself. It is about learning a new skill." When it comes to costumes, he said he was up for anything, almost. "We will have to see what they come up with but I draw the line at fishnets," Tuffers added.

Hollyoaks actor Ricky Whittle, dancing with Natalie Lowe
Whittle said scheduling his Hollyoaks commitments with Strictly would be a challenge. "I will be juggling both shows, which is going to be tough, but anything Strictly throws at me won't phase me."

Crimewatch presenter Rav Wilding, with Aliona Vilani
Wilding, who along with Hollins is the most low-profile of this year's Strictly crop, said the number of sports stars would make things tough. "It is a massive mix of people, but there are a lot of sports stars who are likely to be very competitive, although until you see them dance, you never know," he added.