Strictly Come Dancing will waltz back on to our TV screens next month with the usual collection of celebrities hoping to dazzle with their moves.

Yesterday the BBC announced the names of the 16 contestants for the sixth series of the popular show, to be hosted once again by Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly.

They include singers Rachel Stevens and Heather Small, models Jodie Kidd and Lisa Snowden, GMTV presenter Andrew Castle and three former EastEnders stars - Jessie Wallace, Gillian Taylforth and Phil Daniels. 

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(1) Austin Healy, (2) Tom Chambers, (3) John Sergeant, (4) Gillian Taylforth, (5) Gary Rhodes, (6) Christine Bleakley, (7) Jodie Kidd, (8) Don Warrington, (9) Cheri Lunghi, (10) Heather Small, (11) Phil Daniels, (12) Mark Foster, (13) Andrew Castle, (14) Lisa Snowdon, (15) Jessie Wallace, (16) Rachel Stevens

Perhaps the most unlikely contender, however, will be John Sergeant, the 64-year-old former political editor of ITN.

He admitted that in rehearsals for the show he has already injured both feet  -  more injuries than he sustained as a war correspondent for the BBC.

But it sounds as though he can rely on support from his professional dancing partner Kristina Rihanoff, who said loyally: 'John's been great, he's been working hard and concentrating on lessons. I couldn't ask for more.'

Here the Daily Mail profiles the 16 contestants: 

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Don't stop movin': Former S Club 7 singer Rachel Stevens and Vincent Simone

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Radio star: Model and Capital presenter Lisa Snowdon and Brendan Cole

RACHEL STEVENS

The 30-year-old's career peaked when she was in teen pop group S Club 7.

Despite being a lads' mag favourite pin-up, she has had a low profile in recent years, and a stint on Strictly Come Dancing could be just the thing to revive her fortunes. Dancing with Vincent Simone. Odds: 3-1.

LISA SNOWDON

The model and presenter, 36, is most famous for having dated George Clooney  -  an experience which she claims means men are now too scared to ask her out, fearing they could not compete. Dancing with Brendan Cole, the show's lothario. Odds 8-1.

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Cha cha cha: Former EastEnders actress Jessie Wallace and Darren Bennett

JESSIE WALLACE

At 36, the actress is as famous for her colourful off-screen antics as she was for playing Kat Slater in EastEnders.

After appearing in court on a drink-driving charge, she went on to have a baby with the policeman who had chaperoned her to court.

The pair have since split and Miss Wallace has kept a lower profile of late. Dancing with Darren Bennet. Odds: 12-1.

ANDREW CASTLE

Smarmy sex symbol Castle, 44, somehow managed to switch from being an also-ran UK tennis player to a highly paid TV presenter, so anything is possible.

He is the latest in a line of GMTV presenters who have appeared on the show, and follows on the heels of Kate Garraway's dismal performances last year. Dancing with Ola Jordan. Odds 14-1.

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Movers and shakers: GMTV presenter Andrew Castle and Ola Jordan; actor Actor Don Warrington and Lilia Kopylova

DON WARRINGTON

The former Rising Damp actor, 55, who has most recently been seen in Kenco coffee adverts on TV, has also appeared in a number of serious dramas in recent years. Known for his cut-glass British accent, he is said to have lost his Geordie tones after entering the theatre. Odds: 16-1.

JODIE KIDD

The 29-year-old model was recently exposed in a tabloid cocaine sting which she claims has left her career in tatters. The BBC seems to have no such qualms. She has turned her hand to polo and motor car racing, but it remains to be seen if the clothes horse can dance. Odds 14-1.

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Show stopper: Model Jodie Kidd and Ian Waite

JOHN SERGEANT

Portly TV newsman Sergeant, 64, will be hoping he is not shoved around the dancefloor in the same way he was famously bundled out of the way of Margaret Thatcher by her press secretary Bernard Ingham in 1990.

Never known for his elegance, he admits Mary, his wife of 40 years, thinks he is making a mistake by doing the show. Odds 50-1. 

GARY RHODES

Celebrity chef Rhodes, 48, is known as a perfectionist, but he will have only himself to shout at if it all goes wrong on the dancefloor. The cook, who has recently been showing off a buffed-up physique, has compared learning ballroom to running a busy kitchen. Odds: 33-1. 

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Surprise entries: Political broadcaster John Sergeant and Kristina Rihanoff

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Knees-up: Chef Gary Rhodes and Karen Hardy; Swimming champion Mark Foster with Hayley Holt

MARK FOSTER

A champion swimmer, the 38-year-old is clearly getting a taste for reality TV series .

He recently appeared on Channel 5's Superstars alongside other British sporting greats. He also featured in an episode of Through The Keyhole. Dancing with Hayley Holt. Odds: 10-1. 

HEATHER SMALL

The 43-year-old singer, hailed as the biggest voice and biggest hairstyle in pop, found fame fronting M People in the 1990s.

Despite trying to carve out a career as a solo singer, the band's song Search For The Hero is still what she is remembered for. Robustly built but graceful, she could be a surprise contender to win. Dancing with Brian Fortuna. Odds: 12-1.

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Legging it: Heather Small and Brian Fortuna

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Kicking off: Former EastEnders actress Gillian Taylforth and Anton Du Beke; The One Show presenter Christine Bleakley and Mathew Cutler

GILLIAN TAYLFORTH

The actress, 53, is best known as Kathy Beale in EastEnders and more recently appeared in The Bill. She has never quite lived down her unsuccessful libel case against a tabloid which accused her of lewd behaviour with her partner on an M25 slip road.

Unlikely to be the most natural of dancers, she may yet surprise the audience with new moves on Saturday nights. Odds: 33-1.

CHRISTINE BLEAKLEY

The 27-year-old co-presents BBC1's The One Show and has faced unlikely but persistent rumours linking her to co-host Adrian Chiles.

The pair admitted they went for daily runs and have been snapped sneaking into a West London flat for secret meetings. Odds: 6-1.

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Ready to rumba: Former EastEnders actor Phil Daniels and Flavia Cacae; Holby City star Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup

TOM CHAMBERS

Little-known soap actor Chambers, 31, who appears in BBC1's Holby City, is probably the least recognisable of this year's crop. Put in for his hunky sex appeal, he will fulfil the role played by losing finalist Matt Di Angelo last year, who set female pulses racing. He will dance with Camilla Dallerup. Odds: 6-1.

PHIL DANIELS

He famously sang 'You should cut down on your pork-life, mate' when he appeared on the Blur single Parklife.

Now he will have to take his own advice if he is to stay in trim enough to win this year's show. The ex-EastEnders actor claims the only time he usually gets up on the dancefloor is if Lulu hit Shout Is playing. Dancing with Flavia Cacae. Odds 33-1.

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So you think you can dance: Actress Cherie Lunghi and James Jordan; Rugby star Austin Healey and Erin Boag

CHERIE LUNGHI

The actress, 56, is best known for her role as the first ever female football chief in 1980s drama The Manageress. 

With her purring voice and coquettish style, she will no doubt send the pulses of men of a certain generation racing. Dancing with James Jordan. Odds 20-1.

AUSTIN HEALY

Loud-mouth ex-England rugby star, 34, is never short of an opinion on the management failings of the national rugby team, so expect a bit of back-chat to the judges.

He will be following in the footsteps of fellow rugby players Matt Dawson and Kenny Logan by entering the competition in which sportsmen have traditionally done well. Odds: 10-1.

They're back: Hosts Tess Daly and Bruce Forsyth