Strictly Come Dancing contestants unveiled as Jerry Hall tries and fails to disguise herself behind a Bruce Forsyth mask
By LARA GOULD
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The line-up includes a former supermodel, two Olympians and the captain of the first England cricket team to win the Ashes in 18 years.
Despite producers’ best efforts to keep their identities secret, Mail Online can today reveal the contestants who will be showing off their Latin and ballroom skills in the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing, which starts next weekend.
The 14 stars arrived at the Royal Academy of Dance in Battersea, South-West London, for the first day of rehearsals yesterday in a cavalcade of chauffeur-driven limousines with blacked-out windows.
Can she move like Jagger? Jerry Hall, pictured arriving at The Royal Society of Dance, wearing a Bruce Forsyth mask, is suspected of being a contestant on Strcitly Come Dancing
Model behaviour: The blonde haired star certainly has the long legs for the tango, but can she control them
They emerged with their faces hidden behind masks featuring the face of Strictly’s veteran presenter Bruce Forsyth and their hoods pulled low – but the ruse wasn’t enough to preserve their anonymity.
One of the first to arrive was Texan-born former supermodel Jerry Hall, the ex-wife of Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, whose elegant 6ft frame was unmistakable in a black-and-white striped top and navy trousers as she waved to fans.
She was preceded by former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan, who gave the game away immediately by introducing himself to his fellow contestant, Tracy Beaker actress Dani Harmer.
New friends: Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan, left, will join Tracy Beaker star Dani Harmer, pictured with Tyger Drew Honey
Addressing the 23-year-old in his distinctive Yorkshire accent, Vaughan said: ‘Hi, I’m Mike.’ The 37-year-old, who led England to victory in the 2005 Ashes, is an early tip for series victor.
If he is crowned champion, it would complete a hat-trick of cricketers winning Strictly, following Darren Gough in 2005 and ex-batsman Mark Ramprakash in 2006.
Hall, 56, has been booked to inject some glamour into the tenth-anniversary series, alongside former Big Breakfast host Denise Van Outen, 38, and Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh, 30.
Veteran star: Johnny Ball is unlikely to win the show but will be supported by his daughter Zoe who presents the Strictly Come Dancing spin off
Here come the girls: Kimberley Walsh and Denise Van Outen will add some much needed glamour to the dancefloor
Meanwhile, Britain’s Olympic team will be represented by cyclist Victoria Pendleton, 31, and gymnast Louis Smith, 23, who both brought home two medals from London 2012.
Later arrivals included former This Morning host Fern Britton, 55; Westlife star Nicky Byrne, 33; former Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley, 36; Daybreak showbiz editor Richard Arnold, 42; and 40-year-old ex-EastEnder Sid Owen, who played Ricky Butcher in the BBC1 soap.
They were joined by former children’s television presenter Johnny Ball, whose daughter Zoe was a 2005 contestant and now presents Strictly spin-off series It Takes Two.
Shake it: Fern Britton will have her work cut out trying to compete against Olympian medal winner Victoria Pendleton
The boys are back: Daybreak showbiz editor Richard Arnold will salsa off against Westlife heartthrob Nicky Byrne
The line-up was completed by a mystery 14th contestant, who arrived wearing a Team GB hoodie. It is understood that he is not an Olympic athlete.
Passers-by heckled Ball, who at 74 is the oldest competitor, with his catchphrase ‘Think of a number’ – the name of the educational show he fronted between 1978 and 1984. He responded in kind with 84-year-old Forsyth’s mantra: ‘Nice to see you.’
It's raining men: Olympic gymnast Louis Smith and EastEnders stalwart Sid Owen will add some eye candy for the ladies
Once inside, the celebrities were introduced to Strictly’s professional dancers for the first time before slipping into their dance shoes to practise a group routine that will be seen when Strictly returns to BBC1 on Saturday. Viewers will also watch the celebrities being paired up with their professional partners.
The couples then have three weeks off air to prepare for the first live programme on Friday, October 5.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2200446/Strictly-Come-Dancing-contestants-unveiled-Jerry-Hall-disguises-Bruce-Forsyth.html#ixzz25yVQohxz
