Who is joining Ed Balls on Strictly Come Dancing?

Politician Ed Balls is the first contestant confirmed for the next series of BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing.

Appearing on the show is a "dream come true", said the former shadow chancellor, although he admitted he is "scared to death" at the prospect.

Attention now turns to who will join Balls on the popular series – and a string of celebrities have been rumoured as possible contestants.

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According to the Daily Star, former Pop Idol winner Will Young has already signed up. "He is extremely popular, he is a true professional, he can be quite competitive and he is no shrinking violet," said a source.

Actress Lesley Joseph, who plays Dorien Green in Birds of a Feather, is also reportedly limbering up to join the ranks. "Strictly bosses have wanted Lesley for years. She is determined not to just be the token older contestant," says The Sun.

The tabloid claims former Eternal singer Louise Redknapp will appear in the series too, having been "top" of the producers' "hit list" for years.

Coronation Street fans will be thrilled to learn Ryan Thomas could swap the Rovers Return for Elstree. The actor is on the "long list" of names being considered, according to the Daily Mirror.

An insider tells the newspaper that pop star Anastacia is being considered thanks to her "feel-good energy" and the "demographic of 30 to 40-something viewers who remember her in her heyday".

But might Strictly bosses also plump for a YouTuber to join the hopefuls? Beauty and lifestyle blogger Louise Pentland is being tipped for a place. "Louise would be amazing," a source close to the star tells Radio Times.

Finally, television twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken could bring a scientific twist to the line-up.

The doctors, who have presented BBC documentaries on a host of topics ranging from love and alcohol consumption to icebergs and ageing, would be a "Strictly-Horizon crossover just waiting to happen", says Radio Times.