Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton to compete on Strictly Come Dancing

Gold-medal winner Pendleton, 31, who retired from sport after the 2012 Olympics, will be joined by fellow Olympian Louis Smith, who win a silver medal in the pommel horse event, reported the Telegraph.

Pendleton’s agent confirmed her appearance on Twitter, writing: "@v_pendleton IS doing Strictly - pretty exciting and no doubt she'll work at it to become a very good dancer. That's what athletes do."

Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh is also one of this year's 14 contestants. Walsh has  already tweeted photos of herself practising dance moves in a glittery red frock, but has not yet revealed who her professional dance partner will be. 

Other confirmed stars are are Westlife's Nicky Byrne, Daybreak presenter Richard Arnold and Tracy Beaker actress Dani Harmer. Rumour has is that EastEnders actor Sid Owen, model Jerry Hall and TV presenter Fern Britton will also compete.

Smith and Pendleton will appear alongside fellow sportsman and former cricket captain Michael Vaughan, who follows in the footsteps of cricketers Darren Gough and Mark Ramprakash, who were winners on previous seasons.

The full confirmed list of this year's 14 contestants will be announced on The One Show on BBC One tonight at 7.00pm.