Strictly is daunting, says Walsh

Kimberley Walsh has revealed that appearing on Strictly Come Dancing will be "a new challenge" for her.

The Girls Aloud singer has already shown off her dance moves as part of the group, but admitted taking to the dancefloor without her bandmates is daunting.

"I have danced before but not at that level, and not with one other person. I'm not used to being exposed like that - I usually have the girls with me whenever I've danced before and I've never done ballroom before so this is a new challenge," she said on the sequin-covered red carpet at the show's launch at BBC TV Centre in west London.

"I'm going to push myself, and I think the judges are going to be hard on me especially on the technical side, so I don't think my past will make it any easier."

Jerry Hall, the 56-year-old ex-wife of Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, said: "I love the dancing! I hope my partner is going to be tall and handsome."

Ballerina Darcey Bussell steps into Alesha Dixon's heels as the new judge, alongside Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood.

"So far, it's been good - the other judges have been very supportive and are looking after me nicely," she said. Darcey, who wore a beautiful purple lace gown, added: "I'm looking for an all-round performer that has entertainment value as well; it's not just about their dancing skills."

Fellow judge Len Goodman said about the new addition: "Classy Darcey is going to be fantastic. I hope she's going to be nice, but I've got a feeling she won't be all the time - she sits next to Craig so you can never tell."

Host Sir Bruce Forsyth CBE described the upcoming series as "the best ever". "I think it's a marvellous line-up. Who knows what is going to happen?" he said.

Strictly Come Dancing begins on BBC One on September 15.