Tricky Dicky signs up for Strictly Come Dancing

Former Coronation Street actor Brian Capron has revealed that he hopes people will see a different side to him when he appears on the fifth series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Brian, best known for playing evil serial killer Richard Hillman in the ITV1 soap, will be one of 14 new contestants planning to strut their stuff when the hit reality series returns to BBC1 in the autumn.

Speaking at a press conference to launch the fifth series, Brian joked: "There's a lot of people who still think I've got a crowbar down my trousers."

"This series is an opportunity for people to see the real me."

Brian's fellow male contestants include EastEnders star Matt DiAngelo, soccer star John Barnes, Blue Peter's Gethin Jones, presenter Dominic Littlewood, snooker legend Willie Thorne and former Scottish rugby star Kenny Logan.

For the ladies, there's actress Stephanie Beacham, model and actress Kelly Brook, former EastEnders star Letitia Dean, MisTeeq lady Alesha Dixon, GMTV's Kate Garraway, Rod Stewart's wife Penny Lancaster and sports presenter - and Kenny's wife - Gabby Logan.

Cricketer Mark Ramprakash was crowned Strictly Come Dancing champion in 2006.

Looking forward to the new series, Peter Fincham, controller of BBC1, said: "Strictly Come Dancing has been a success from the start and has become the centrepiece of autumn entertainment for BBC1."

CLICK here to view a photo album featuring all the contestants on Strictly Come Dancing 5