Broadcaster Vanessa Feltz and TV presenter Rachel Riley are among the 15 celebrities set to compete on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing, it was announced this week.

Ms Feltz said she had agreed to go on the dance-themed reality show to acquire a new skill. She confessed: “I can’t jive, I can’t salsa, I can’t cha cha cha, I can’t waltz — I just can’t dance at all.”

The 51-year-old journalist, who is about to become a grandmother for the first time, added: “I’d like the judges to say that I tried hard and that I mastered the dance and that I don’t look like a fool. If they say that, I will be thrilled to pieces.”

Ms Riley, who co-presents the Channel 4 game-show Countdown, is one of the favourites to win the Strictly title. But she said: “I’m clumsy and have never been graceful in my life — maybe now is the time to start.”

The series starts on September 27. Claudia Winkleman will co-host the accompanying results show.