Sequin-clad celebrities will soon be strutting their stuff at Elstree Studios for this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

This year's extravaganza of movement, music and mayhem will launch on Saturday (September 5) when the 15 contestants will bounce and sashay down the stairs to meet their professional partners, who will then have three weeks to whip them into shape for the first live show on September 25.

Among the pack of fledgling foxtrotters is Harrow-born singer and presenter Peter Andre who thinks Strictly is the best show on television and says: "I want someone who will be strict with me but will also have fun and enjoy our training.

"My biggest challenge is going to be remembering the moves as they are so technical and I wouldn't want to let my partner down.

The 42-year-old has two children with former wife Katie Price and one with Emily MacDonagh who he married in July, and says: " I think the competition is more with myself and to prove whether I can still move like I did 20 years ago?"

He adds: "Hopefully all my family will come down to watch me dance and my kids are big fans of the show!

Paddington-born Ainsley Harriott says taking a break from presenting Ready, Steady, Cook means he finally has time to take part in the dance show and he's in it to have fun rather than win.

"I certainly love a boogie and once the music starts I’m usually one of the first out there on the dance floor, " reveals the 58-year-old who is known for his flamboyant shirts and are waving in the kitchen.

But he's not the only man keen to embrace the sparkle and lycra.

"I love all the outfits," says Farnborough-born Iwan who represented Great Britain at the 1996 Olympics, "and won’t need much persuasion to wear any glittery tight tops.

"The last time I danced was for Let’s Dance for Sport Relief with a team of Olympians and we danced to Madonna’s ‘Vogue’. After that, I vowed I would never dance live on TV again because it was so scary! But here I am now on the biggest dance show on TV."

Completing the line-up of men are journalist Jeremy Vine, boxer Anthony Ogogo, singer Daniel O’ Donnell and former member of band The Wanted Jay McGuiness.

Judges Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussell all return this year to critic the dancers and Countryfile presenter Anita Rani who lives in Hackney says she finds them all terrifying,

"There are going to be a lot of challenges for me during Strictly. The outfits will be quite a challenge, dancing with a complete stranger will be a challenge but the dancing will be the biggest challenge!

Berkshire-based weather presenter Carol Kirkwood says she is looking for a strong partner: "I don’t want to flatten them and ruin their career after the first week.

"I’m 53 and probably not the fittest person you are ever going to meet so I don’t fancy my chances but I’m going to give it everything I have."

Helen George learnt swing dancing for her role on Call the Midwife and the London actress will be filming the new series in between dance rehearsals.

"When I did ballet years ago, Darcey Bussell was my hero, " say the Royal Academy of Music graduate.

"I had posters of her up on my wall so it’s going to be completely intimidating."

Essex-born Kellie Bright, who went to Sylvia Young Theatre School in Marylebone, won't have far to go as she stars as Linda Carter in EastEnders which is also filmed at Elstree

But the 39-year-old says time management will be a challenge as she is also renovating her home and so she has been getting tips from her celebrity pals.

"I talked to Emma Bunton about taking part in Strictly because she’s a really good friend of mine. She said it was amazing and one of the best things she’s ever done. There have been lots of people at EastEnders who have taken part in Strictly and anyone I have spoken to have all said how much they loved it. I’ve not heard one person say a bad thing about it!"

Kirsty Gallacher has also been getting the lowdown from some former contestants: "Caroline Flack is a friend of mine and she said the whole experience is an adventure and life-changing. Gabby and Kenny Logan said the same."

They'll be joined on the dance floor by Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote, newscaster Katie Derham, and singer Jamelia.

So who is your money on?

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One on Saturday from 7.15pm