'I wasn't allowed NOT to do Strictly', says Kimberley! (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

'I wasn't allowed NOT to do Strictly', says Kimberley!

9:00am Tuesday 11th September 2012 in News

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

The Bradford 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.”

Miss Walsh is joined in the new series by Olympians Victoria Pendleton and Louis Smith, former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan and Westlife’s Nicky Byrne.

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.

There are some surprises to come though as the contestants are still to be assigned their professional dance partners.

They will team up at a recording of the launch show tomorrow night, with the programme broadcast on Saturday at 6.30pm.

Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly return as the hosts of this year's contest.