Will Young rumoured to have signed on for new series of Strictly Come Dancing

Will Young is rumoured to have signed on to take part in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. The singer impressed the show's producers when he performed on the programme last year, and is now expected to put on his dancing shoes to compete for the coveted glitterball trophy.

According to the The Sun , a source said: "Will is a brilliant signing for us. He is extremely popular, he is a true professional, he can be quite competitive and he is no shrinking violet."

The former Pop Idol star famously found himself in a showdown with Simon Cowell 15 years ago, after the talent show judge described his early audition as "distinctly average." Standing up to Cowell, Young won the respect of the public and the show, beating rival Gareth Gates to take the Pop Idol crown.

It's hoped that with his forthright approach, the 37- year-old will be a match for the acerbic tongue of Craig Revel Horwood.

"Viewers loved the fact he stood up to Simon," explained the source. "So we cannot imagine he will hold his tongue when facing the wrath of judge Craig Revel Horwood."

While there has been no official confirmation that Will Young will be joining the lustrous line-up of celebrity contestants, the Leave Right Now singer, who appeared on stage in the West End in Cabaret in 2013, is already a favourite. Other celebrities rumoured to be taking part include singer Anastacia, presenter Laura Whitmore and TV legal expert Judge Rinder.

Just this week it was announced that the show will be featuring a new line up of dancers after Gleb Savchenko announced that he was quitting after just one series. The TV heartthrob said that he wants to spend more time with his wife Elena Samodanova and their young daughter Olivia.

"I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the last series of Strictly Come Dancing, and especially the way that the UK gave me such a warm welcome, but due to family commitments I won't be returning to the show for the next series," said Savchenko, who is married to fellow dancer Elena Samodanova. "I'll definitely be tuning in though."

It's the latest defection from the show after Aliona Vilani, Ola Jordan, Kristina Rihanoff and Tristan MacManus all quit.

Three new dancers have been confirmed to take their places including Ukrainian champion Oksana Platero, Spanish professional Gorka Marquez and world champion Katya Jones. "I am so privileged to be joining Strictly Come Dancing. I know it is extremely intense, but so am I! I am fierce, fabulous, and would love to win," said Katya.

They will join returning dancers Du Beke, Brendan Cole, Kevin Clifton, Pasha Kovalev, Aljaz Skorjanec, Giovanni Pernice, Karen Clifton, Natalie Lowe, Joanne Clifton, Janette Manrara and Oti Mabuse.

Louise Rainbow, executive producer of Strictly Come Dancing, said: "We are delighted with our professional dancer line-up this year and we welcome three new stunning dancers to our Strictly family.

"Our most recent series was a terrific one for Strictly, winning both an NTA and Bafta Television Award, and we are all so excited to build on that and look forward to yet another brilliant and entertaining series."

All four judges — Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Darcey Bussell — are reportedly returning for the 14th series.