The line-up for the new series consists of: Esther Rantzen; BBC gardening presenter Diarmuid Gavin; 'Casualty' actress Sarah Manners; classical singer Aled Jones; former 'Top Gear' presenter Quentin Willson; 'EastEnders' actress Jill Halfpenny; and athletes Roger Black and Denise Lewis.
The first series in July this year regularly secured audiences of more than 6.5m and the final show, revealing Natasha Kaplinsky as winner, peaked at 9.7m viewers, or a 46% audience share, one of the highest BBC ratings this year.
The new series, which kicks off on October 23, promises to be bigger and better with two extra couples and last year's winning leading lady Kaplinsky joining Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly as a co-presenter.
The presenters are backed again by the BBC's panel of studio judges, Bruno Tonioli, Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood and Arlene Phillips.
Each contestant is given a professional dance partner and each week rehearses for a live Saturday night performance. On each show, the couples face a public and studio vote with the lowest team being knocked out.
In addition to the Saturday night show on BBC One, Claudia Winkleman presents 'Strictly Come Dancing - It Takes Two', a daily behind-the-scenes show on BBC Two.
The show includes exclusive footage from the rehearsals and updates on training, as well as interviews with all the contestants.
Winkleman said: "I'm thrilled to be involved. In preparation, I have been to a rhumba lesson and have bought a lime green ball gown with diamonte trim. Nice."
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