Walsh had 'no choice' over Strictly

Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh said she had to sign up to this year's Strictly Come Dancing after Cheryl Cole gave her "no choice".

The singer said she talked it over with all the other four members of the girlband and she expects to see them all in the studio cheering her on.

She said: "I asked them before I signed up to it and Cheryl basically told me I had to do it. She gave me no choice.

"They're really excited about it, they're really happy that I'm doing it. For them it's going to be great because they can just chill out and watch.

"They are really supportive of the decision so they'll be no doubt coming down to cheer me on."

Kimberley is joined in the new series by Olympians Victoria Pendleton and Louis Smith, former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan and former Emmerdale actress and You've Been Framed host Lisa Riley.

Ex children's TV presenter Johnny Ball, whose daughter Zoe is a past contestant on the dance show and hosts spin-off programme It Takes Two, becomes the oldest contestant ever to take part, at the age of 74.

Other contestants include model Jerry Hall, former wife of Sir Mick Jagger, and actor Sid Owen - best known for his years as Ricky Butcher in EastEnders.

Former This Morning presenter Fern Britton, who took part in a Strictly Christmas special, is also among the hopefuls, along with James Bond actor Colin Salmon and actress Denise Van Outen.

Westlife's Nicky Byrne, Daybreak presenter Richard Arnold and actress Dani Harmer had already been confirmed for the show.