Chris Hollins and Ola are Strictly champions!

*Chris Hollins won Strictly Come Dancing 2009*

Phil Tufnell can 'hardly walk' after his intensive training sessions. Lynda Bellingham is 'terrified' of dancing in front of millions. And Robbie Williams says he will throw his hat into the ring if his new album flops... You've guessed it. TV's hottest, most headline-generating dance competition is back for a new run. A year after twinkletoed actor Tom Chambers picked up the top prize, Strictly Come Dancing returns with a brand new line-up of celebrity guests.

This year's batch has a strong soap 'n' sports flavour. Boxer Calzaghe (an early favourite with the bookies), tennis star Martina Hingis, long-jumper Jade Johnson, former jockey Richard Dunwoody and ex-England cricketer Phil Tufnell go head-to-head with ex-EastEnders Natalie Cassidy and Ricky Groves, Hollyoaks' Ricky Whittle and The Bill's Ali Bastian.

Also making up the numbers are Crimewatch host Rav Wilding, former Footballers' Wives stars Laila Rouass and Zoe Lucker, Loose Women presenter Lynda Bellingham, sports presenter Chris Hollins, Queer as Folk actor Craig Kelly and Jo Wood, estranged wife of Rolling Stone Ronnie.

Strictly 2009 hasn't been without controversy - even before the first foxtrot was thrown. Judge Arlene Phillips, 66, has been replaced with former Strictly winner Alesha Dixon, 30 - sparking several claims of 'ageism'.

Alesha joins Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli on the judging panel and world renowned ballet dancer Darcey Bussell, will appear as a guest judge in the last three shows of the series.

This year there will also be a change to the traditional format. The series begins with separate shows on Friday and Saturday nights for the first two weeks - with ballroom on the first night, Latin on the second. From week three, the show returns to Saturday nights with a single episode, including the all-important results. Let the mayhem begin...
Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly host as 16 new celebrities prepare to sashay onto the dancefloor as Strictly returns for its seventh series.

Co-host Tess Daly says: "The line-up for this series is possibly our strongest yet and I can't wait to see all our couples together on the dance floor. Bring on the battle of the ballroom!"

For a daily dose of Strictly gossip, fans can tune into to Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two on BBC2 every weeknight and whatsontv.co.uk will have all the news on who's hot, who's not, who's in - and who's out!