Bremner tipped to make an impression on Strictly

Rory Bremner will be hoping to make a good impression in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. The Edinburgh-born funny-man is one of the celebrities lined up for the hit BBC1 ballroom show which starts next week.

Other stars rumoured to be appearing include former Neighbours stars Jason Donovan and Holly Valance, ex-MP Edwina Currie and One Show host Alex Jones. Jones will be able to get a few tips from fellow One Show host Matt Baker, who was runner-up last year behind eventual winner Kara Tointon.

A BBC spokesman refused to comment on the show’s line-up, which will be unveiled next week.

This year’s show will definitely see one new face with Zoe Ball taking over from Claudia Winkleman as the host of BBC2’s Strictly Come Dancing spin-off.

The former Strictly contestant and mother-of-two will take over fronting It Takes Two when the new series begins.

Winkleman, 39, had hosted the show – with behind-the-scenes interviews and gossip – since it began in 2004.

Ball, 40, said: “I’m giddy with glee and I may even have slipped momentarily into a celebratory Cha Cha Cha, although technically not a very good one.

“Having been a contestant myself and having hosted the Strictly Come Dancing Tour, it would be fair to say I’m obsessed with the whole dance phenomenon.”

TV and radio presenter Ball competed in the show in 2005 with professional partner Ian Waite, coming third.