Cocaine row hits Come Dancing

The 29-year-old, who won five grand slam titles, was banned for two years by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in 2008 after testing positive for the drug during the 2007 Wimbledon championships.

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After the tests, Hingis declared she was "100 per cent innocent", but the ITF ruled against her and ordered her to repay nearly 80,000 in prize money.

Last night, Alastair Ramsay, chairman of Drugwise, a Scottish body that advises groups and businesses on drug and alcohol misuse, said: "I think it is appalling that the BBC should be promoting someone whose drug-taking activities have been exposed.

"Sportsmen and sportswomen should be offering positive role models to young people. Someone associated with drug abuse should not be highlighted in this manner. It is wrong for the media to act as if taking drugs is a normal lifestyle."

Asked about the controversy yesterday, Hingis said: "It's behind me, this is a new challenge." She said she had changed. "I want people to see a different side to me than the person running round the tennis court."

Speaking about the contest, she said: "Everything I do, I do to win. I am very competitive."

The BBC said it was "delighted" to have the star on the show. The corporation said in a statement: "As she herself said today, her past is behind her and she is looking forward to a new challenge on the show."

Joining Hingis in the Strictly line-up are retired jockey Richard Dunwoody, former boxer Joe Calzaghe, Olympic long-jumper Jade Johnson, former "Oxo mum" Lynda Bellingham and ex-cricketer Phil Tufnell.

The former England and Middlesex spinner, 43, is no stranger to reality TV, having emerged as king of the jungle in the 2003 series of I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here. If he wins, he will be the third former cricketer to do so, after Mark Ramprakash and Darren Gough.

This year there are no obvious candidates to step into the John Sergeant role. The political journalist dismayed the judges and delighted the public in equal measure last year with his whole-hearted but inelegant performances.

A host of soap stars will also battle it out in the new series: Natalie Cassidy and Ricky Groves from EastEnders, Coronation Street's Craig Kelly and Ricky Whittle from Hollyoaks. Ali Bastian, from The Bill, will also take part, as will Footballers' Wives stars Laila Rouass and Zoe Lucker.

The line-up is completed by BBC Breakfast presenter Chris Hollins, police officer-turned-Crimewatch host Rav Wilding and Jo Wood, estranged wife of Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood.

The new series has already been plunged into an age row following the axing of choreographer Arlene Phillips, 66, as a judge, after six series.

Former Royal Ballet principal dancer Darcey Bussell, 40, and singer Alesha Dixon, 30, who won the competition in 2007, are coming on board. Phillips will be the Strictly expert for The One Show.

Regular hosts Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly will guide viewers through the series.

Bellingham – at 61, this year's oldest contestant – said she felt the ageism row had been whipped up. She said: "I'm here to dance and to put my sequins on."