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Sophie Ellis-Bextor, a singer, ex-Coronation Street actress Natalie Gumede, fashion designer Julien Macdonald, Hairy Biker Dave Myers, and model Abbey Clancy will join them, along with BBC Breakfast presenter Susanna Reid, former Bond Girl Fiona Fullerton and Countdown presenter Rachel Riley.

The 15-strong line-up will be completed by actors Mark Benton, best known for his role in Waterloo Road, Casualty star Patrick Robinson and Hollyoaks' Ashley Taylor Dawson.

The BBC has insisted it is "really pleased" with this year's line up, saying it was a "classic" with something for all the family.

A spokesman added it was "only natural" that the American dancer would not be familiar with some of the celebrity faces, having only moved to London recently.

Manrara is one of five new professional dancers joining the show this year.

When asked how many of the contestant she recognised beforehand, she laughed: "Absolutely none of them."

She then went on to correct herself, saying she had heard of Julian Macdonald and "loved" his designs for American singers Beyonce and Selina Gomez.

"I wasn't nervous meeting the celebrities," she added. "It was actually really nice to meet them all."

The dancers will tonight find out which of the contestants they will be paired with for the rest of the series, in the hopes of taking home the glitterball trophy.

They will also perform their first dance of the series, a group number, and will be introduced to judges Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli.

All 15 have taken part in training sessions already, with Fiona Fullerton and Rachel Riley admitting they are "covered" in bruises from getting used to the new moves.

Speaking of how much she was looking forward to learning to dance, Countdown presenter Riley said: "I've got a long way to climb. It's a crash course, there are so many different styles of dancing."

Susanna Reid, from BBC Breakfast, admitted the transition to the dance floor would be "a bit of a manoeuvre", adding: "I hope I don't embarrass my children".

Deborah Meadon, from Dragons' Den, said she had previously written herself off, saying "I'm too old, too short and I can't dance", while Vanessa Feltz joked: "I've got to do my best not to shame my family, disgrace the nation, shame the Empire."

A spokesman for the BBC said: "Janette is American and only moved to London for Strictly last month, so its only natural she wouldn't be familiar with some of the faces in this year's line-up.

"We're really pleased with our line up this year, it's a classic Strictly lineup with something for all the family. The celebrities will definitely bring the personality and fun to the dance floor that Strictly is famous for."

The show will be broadcast on BBC One on Saturday at 6.50pm.