Entertainment In Focus

04 December 2008 00:42 BST

Strictly Come Dancing - the contestants

inthenews.co.uk looks at the 16 contestants aiming to rumba and tango their way to the top in the sixth series of BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing.

THE BOYS

VOTED OFF - WEEK SEVEN

Andrew Castle The GMTV presenter is a former British number one tennis player and is also a key member of the BBC's tennis team. "I don't usually dance for fear of being categorised as an embarrassing dad, but I'm getting tips from Fiona Phillips and Kate Garraway who have both said that this show was the best thing that they have ever done in their lives," he says.

Tom Chambers Derbyshire-born Tom is best known for playing lothario Sam Strachan in BBC1's Holby City and has postponed his wedding and honeymoon with an eye to winning the sixth series of Strictly Come Dancing. "I had to tell my wedding guests that it was because of my Holby filming commitments!" he jokes. "I want to become an excellent mover – I can't wait to learn ballroom and wear the posh costumes. Hopefully I'll last longer in the competition than I did on the celebrity Weakest Link where I was voted off in the first round!"

VOTED OFF - WEEK ONE

Phil Daniels Renowned for his starring role as Jimmy in Quadrophenia, as well as lending his cockney vocals to Blur's Parklife, Phil starred as Kevin Wicks on EastEnders, before his character was killed off in December 2007. "I hope I will surprise myself and be good at dancing – I just hope I don't fall over or forget the steps!" Phil says.

VOTED OFF - WEEK SIX

Mark Foster Mark carried the British flag at the Beijing Olympics and is the most successful swimmer the UK has ever produced, with six world championship gold medals and eight world records to his name. Mark says: "I'm sure I'll enjoy some good natured banter with them. I was an avid viewer when my friend Colin Jackson was the runner-up in 2005, and understand that this in a once-in-a-lifetime chance."

Austin Healey Former Leicester and England rugby star was dubbed 'The Leicester Lip' because of his constant onfield banter and is now part of the BBC's rugby team. "I miss the competitive element in my life now that I've retired from rugby and this will bring that back. I will give 100 per cent," says Austin.

VOTED OFF - WEEK THREE

Gary Rhodes One of the UK's most famous celebrity chefs, Gary has won four Michelin stars and owns restaurants in London, Dublin and Grenada as well as being a major shareholder in an online restaurant booking service. Gary says: "I'm very proud – and very scared! – to be taking part in Strictly this year and I hope this leads to a great social pastime for my wife and I to enjoy together."

WITHDREW - WEEK NINE

John Sergeant John is one of the UK's most respected broadcasters and has garnered countless awards for his political journalism, as well as being granted the only interview with former Welsh secretary Ron Davies after his "moment of madness" in 1998. John says: "I thought it was about time that I did something a bit absurd... My wife is a huge fan of Strictly Come Dancing and thinks I'm going to be terrible, but I'm looking forward to the ballroom so I can feel taller and slimmer in the Latin heels!"

VOTED OFF - WEEK FIVE

Don Warrington Don, an MBE, played the key role of Philip Smith in the hit sitcom Rising Damp and has performed with the National Theatre, the English Shakespeare Company and Bristol Old Vic as well as starring in the likes of New Street Law, Grange Hill, Red Dwarf, Holby City and The Crouches. "The last time I danced was a very long time ago," Don explains. "I'm still learning to put one foot in front of the other one!"

THE GIRLS

VOTED OFF - WEEK ELEVEN

Christine Bleakley One Show presenter Christine completed her rise from runner to host after stepping in to fill Myleene Klass' shoes when the former Hear'Say star went into labour. "I might have looked calm on the outside but I was shaking, and I suspect I will be the same on Strictly… I'm quite shy but am looking forward to learning such a beautiful skill."

VOTED OFF - WEEK TEN

Jodie Kidd Jodie is one of the UK's most successful supermodels and has appeared on the cover of the cover of Elle Magazine in five countries, as well as British Vogue, The Face and Tatler. Having moved away from modelling, she has become a regular presenter for GMTV and This Morning, among other shows. "I'm a huge fan of Strictly Come Dancing and, if I'm away, my Saturday night just isn't the same!" she says.

VOTED OFF - WEEK NINE

Cherie Lunghi Cherie has graced countless British dramas, from Casualty to Hotel Babylon, as well as starring in films such as Excalibur and The Mission. She is also famed for her long-running role in a Kenco advertising campaign. Cherie says: "I think this will be tremendous fun! I hope that me doing this inspires other women to kick off their shoes and give dancing a whirl!"

VOTED OFF - WEEK EIGHT

Heather Small A Brit award and Mercury Prize-winner as part of M People, Heather's unique vocals were also an integral part of the UK's successful bid for the 2012 Olympics, with her song Proud a centrepiece. "I occasionally suffer from stage fright and, if left to my own devices, I would probably say no to anything scary," she explains. "However, everyone said I should give it a go, so I thought, why not? I just hope my nerves don't get the better of me."

Lisa Snowdon Famed as one of George Clooney's ex-girlfriends, model and presenter Lisa has carved out a successful career on both sides of the Atlantic. "I never miss an episode of Strictly," she says. "I'm honoured to be involved this year; I will put my heart and soul into it."

Rachel Stevens Also a Brit-winner, as part of S Club 7, Rachel was part of a pop sensation that sold 16 million records worldwide, and has seen forged a successful solo career. Rachel says: "Just because you've been on stage doesn't mean you can dance. For the first time ever, I'm doing something completely on my own and it's scary. I've always had other band members or dancers around me before. "I would be thrilled if I won, but I can't think that far ahead. I'm taking each training session as it comes and I'm looking forward to the sexy dances like the rumba."

VOTED OFF - WEEK TWO

Gillian Taylforth Another former EastEnder, Gillian has also appeared in Footballers' Wives and The Bill as well as regularly joining the panel on ITV1's Loose Women and is appearing on the show following her brother's premonition about her joining the Strictly lineup. Gillian says: "In his dream I didn't win the show, but apparently didn't do too badly, so I'm hoping his premonition becomes a reality! "My son thinks I'll be an embarrassment but I thought it was about time I had a bit of fun doing something I enjoy. I've got my foot spa ready to look after my tired and pained feet!"

VOTED OFF - WEEK FOUR

Jessie Wallace The third former EastEnder in this year's series, Jessie played Kat Slater for five years, winning British Soap Awards for four years in a row, and has since appeared in BBC1 dramas A Class Apart and The Dinner Party, plus Wild At Heart for ITV1. She says: "I've always wanted to do Strictly, all those amazing dresses and the fantastic make-up, it's going to be masses of fun and what a great way to keep fit!"