Strictly Come Dancing - Former X Factor host to present live show

Former X Factor presenter Kate Thornton has been signed up to present the live version of Strictly Come Dancing.

The global dancing phenomenon will hit UK arenas in the new year, marking a coup for the BBC who have swooped on Kate after she was axed as host of ITV's reality karaoke competition earlier this year

The 34-year-old, who was the youngest-ever editor of pop magazine Smash Hits at 22, was replaced by Big Brother's Dermot O'Leary.

Celebrity contestants already confirmed for what promises to be one of the hottest tickets of 2008 include Matt Di Angelo, Darren Gough, Christopher Parker, Zoe Ball, Letitia Dean, Denise Lewis and Louisa Lytton.

Read about when the Strictly Come Dancing Live shows were first announced >

Check out the profiles of this year's Strictly Come Dancing celebrities...

Kelly Brook
Gabby Logan
Alesha Dixon
Penny Lancaster
Gethin Jones
Dominic Littlewood
Matt Di Angelo
John Barnes
Letitia Dean
Kenny Logan
Kate Garraway
Willie Thorne
Already voted off: Brian Capron, Stephanie Beacham