Strictly Come Dancing 2015: BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood announced as sixth contestant

BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood has been announced as the sixth celebrity to be joining the Strictly Come Dancing 2015 line-up. She revealed the news on BBC Breakfast on 18 August, as she danced with fellow anchor Bill Turnbull, and a troupe of children backing-dancers, while wearing a white feather boa and purple dress.

Talking to the Daily Mail, the Scottish television personality revealed that she was "beyond excited to be taking part in the best programme on British telly" before admitting that she has "been a huge fan since it started".

She continued: "I can't wait to learn to dance and hope my experience on Strictly will be a breeze, whether it will be or not is one forecast I cannot predict!"

Speaking on the Breakfast show, she seemed very excited about her upcoming involvement in the show, commenting: "I can't believe this at all. It's been a dream for so long that I can't believe that it is finally happening. I can't even waltz, I'm useless!"

When asked which professional dancer she would like to be paired with, Kirkwood replied: "I think all the dancers are amazing but I do have a soft spot for Aljaz Skorjanec." She had a similar casual response to the question of which routine she thinks she will prefer, saying: "I can't dance, I've only done country Scottish dancing so I don't have a favourite dance but I like the look of ballroom."

Whilst the paso doble, the foxtrot and the Viennese waltz might be new to Kirkwood, she's no stranger to putting on a theatrical performance for a live audience. In 2008, she took part in the segment of Children In Need that saw newsreaders acting out a scene from the Rocky Horror Picture Show and a year previous performed a duet with former Strictly champion Chris Hollins singing Baby, It's Cold Outside for the same charity.

When the series begins, the 53-year-old will be competing against already confirmed famous faces – broadcaster Jeremy Vine, television chef Ainsley Harriott, EastEnders actress Kellie Bright, Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote and presenter Katie Derham. The last few seasons of the show have typically started off with around 15 contestants, so it's inevitable that there are still a number of names that will be revealed in the next coming weeks.

Celebrities rumoured to be entering the competition include the Sex Pistols' John Lydon, former X Factor presenter Dermot O' Leary, Gok Wan, Bollywood actress Amy Jackson, Robbie Williams' wife Ayda Field, Ben Shephard, Miranda star Tom Ellis, Call The Midwife actress Helen George and Richard and Judy.

The 13<sup>th series is set to start on BBC One sometime in September and will continue up until Christmas.