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Joe Calzaghe (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Kristina Rihanoff)

The Pride of Wales, Joe Calzaghe is one of the greatest boxers to have ever stepped into the ring. ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sports Personality of the Year in 2007, Joe is Britain's only undefeated boxing world champion and was the longest-reigning boxing world champion of the modern era, holding the WBO, WBA, WBC and IBF super-middleweight belts during his remarkable 16-year career.

The Italian Dragon's fierce determination in the ring now extends to the dance floor: he may have hung up his boxing gloves, but he's hoping to knock out the competition in this year's Strictly Come Dancing and add the glitter ball trophy to his collection!

Joe says: "For me personally, taking part in the show is about following a dream and learning to do something I've always wanted to do – even though I'll be starting out with two left feet! I'm as nervous as hell but I really hope that I can end up doing it well. I managed to stay undefeated in the ring but I have a feeling that this is going to be far harder."

Richard Dunwoody MBE (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Lilia Kopylova)

Richard Dunwoody is one of Britain's most successful jockeys. At the forefront of English National Hunt racing in the Eighties and the Nineties, he was victorious in the Big Three races – the Grand National, the Champion Hurdle and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

His distinguished career and dedication to promoting the sport he loves earned him an MBE in 1993. Remembered fondly by the racing public for his partnership with the hugely popular Desert Orchid, Richard was also revered by his fellow racers, who voted him the National Hunt Jockey of the Year five times. He was Champion Jockey between 1993 and 1995.

In becoming the first jockey to foxtrot across the Strictly dance floor, Richard hopes that, with the luck of the Irish, he will be galloping all the way to the final: "My hopes are to do my best and, to be honest, my biggest fear is that I don't do my best!"

Ricky Groves (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Erin Boag)

The charming and chirpy Ricky Groves is much loved for his portrayal of cheeky cockney Gary Hobbs in the nation's favourite soap EastEnders. During his time in Walford he has experienced marriages, engagements, divorces, affairs and paternity tests... Albert Square has been quite the emotional rollercoaster!

Feeling like "the cat that got the cream" having been asked to take part in the show, Ricky is fulfilling an ambition of learning to dance that began when he first saw Saturday Night Fever and dreamed of becoming John Travolta's character.

He's also up for making sure he looks the part too: "I'm looking forward to experimenting with all sorts of costumes as the weeks go on. I will possibly indulge myself with a tan or two but do warn me if I start turning into David Dickinson!"

Chris Hollins (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Ola Jordan)

The respected and trusted face of sport on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Breakfast, Chris Hollins is the man viewers turn to when wanting clarification on the latest Beckham rumour, an inside story from the England cricket camp or an exclusive interview with a Team GB Olympic winner.

Chris began his media career at Sky Sports in 1994, followed by spells at GMTV, Meridian and Five TV. Sport is part of Chris's DNA: his father, John Hollins MBE, played football for Chelsea, Arsenal, and England whilst his uncle David was a goalkeeper for Newcastle United and Wales.

While Chris is delighted about the prospect of learning to dance, there's one thing he's more excited about: "I'm looking forward to meeting my all time hero: Mr Bruce Forsyth! I've been an enormous fan of his since I was a little boy. The Generation Game was my favourite show ever and I can't believe I'll soon be on-stage with him! Playing golf with Bruce Forsyth? That would be my ultimate dream!"

Craig Kelly (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Flavia Cacace)

The star of some of British TV's most critically-acclaimed and best-loved shows, actor Craig Kelly is currently residing on Corrie, the nation's favourite Street, where as Luke Strong he has the Weatherfield ladies falling at his feet.

For over a decade, Mancunian Craig has been winning praise for his roles in multi-award-winning drama series from Queer As Folk, where he starred as the loveable Vince, to Hotel Babylon.

Craig says: "Last year I watched the series and said it was the only show like this I would appear on. And here I am! It looks like a lot of fun and like a huge adventurous challenge and I was a fan of the show for many years. My wife thought that it would be great for future moves on the dance floor!"

Phil Tufnell (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Katya Virshilas)

All-round cheeky chappy, Phil Tufnell is nothing short of an English cricketing legend. To some, he was the bad boy of English cricket; outspoken and anti-establishment. To most he was one of the finest spin-bowlers to have worn the three-lions shirt in recent years, playing in numerous test matches and one day internationals. His wise cracking, wide-boy image made him a folk hero to the travelling Barmy Army cricketing fans.

Retiring from professional cricket at the start of the 2003 season, Phil appeared in the second series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here where the public fell for his cheeky manner and crowned him King of the Jungle. He now reports for ´óÏó´«Ã½ One's The One Show and is a team captain on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ quiz show A Question of Sport.

With no previous dance experience Phil says: "My wife Dawn isn't too impressed with my moves. She would give me five out of 10 and that's her being generous! It'll be interesting to see how much support she gives me this year."

He adds: "Cricketers always seem to do well on the show. I'll no doubt become known as the only cricketer who couldn't dance on Strictly!"

Ricky Whittle (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Natalie Lowe)

TV hunk and actor Ricky Whittle has set millions of teenage hearts racing with his role as Hollyoaks' good boy turned bad, Calvin.

Before he caught the acting bug, Ricky was on the path to football stardom. But, despite being scouted by both Arsenal and Celtic, an injury ended any hopes he had to pursue a professional career and so he began a four-year law degree. Whilst there he began modelling, securing some high-profile campaigns and, after a successful audition for a TV drama, he decided to forego his career in the courts for one on screen.

Hoping to look impressive on the Strictly dance floor, Ricky would love to receive a perfect 40 from the Strictly judges. Known for starring in many Hollyoaks' scenes in not much more than his underwear, Ricky isn't averse to using his best assets to get him through the competition.

He says: "I love all the sexy Latin stuff; the salsa, the rumba. I get flustered in suits, so if I'm in something else it would be better. To be honest if it gets me through to the final I'll dance in my thong!"

Rav Wilding (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Aliona Vilani)

From PC to pin-up via ´óÏó´«Ã½'s Crimewatch, TV presenter Rav Wilding has gone from catching criminals to catching the eye of the ladies in one swift move.

Previously in the army, where his career was cut short by an injury, Rav applied to join the Metropolitan Police and was posted to Peckham, South London. In 2004 he was successful in auditioning for Crimewatch, which he continues to present today. Rav took a sabbatical from the police force in 2008 to concentrate on TV work and is now a regular reporter on crime issues for The One Show.

Excited about the challenge of Strictly, Rav also has some reservations: "I've got massive thighs and have already burst out of three suits. My thighs are 27-inches in circumference and I'm worried about a wardrobe malfunction on Strictly Come Dancing. I'm worried that if something rips on the dance floor the viewers might see a little more than they anticipated."