Sequins at dawn: The battle for Strictly’s best bod gets underway

WE all know how celebs love the ‘journey’ of being on a reality show.

And the journey embarked upon when starring on BBC’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ is an arduous one.

In the past, participants have spoken of how the pounds came off quick and the body got toned due to intricate dance routines and long hours of practice.

But if you’re Olympian Victoria Pendleton and Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh, that’s something you needn’t worry about it.

Both women already have figures to kill for and fitness levels we can only dream of as was evident as they posed in skimpy sequinned outfits for this year’s show.

Kimberly is glowing in a red dress which shows off her killer curves and flat stomach, while Victoria sports a lilac dress designed to show off her killer abs.

Cyclist Victoria (31) was training for at least 30 hours a week in the run-up to the London Olympics where she scooped gold and silver.

Singer Kimberley (30) recently starred in West End musical ‘Shrek’ and is rumoured to be in rehearsals for a Girls Aloud tour which if true means that she has to be in top condition for their routines.

Either way, both women will no doubt be the major stars of this year’s show which has a star-studded line-up.

Other participants include Jerry Hall, Fern Britton, Westlife’s Nicky Byrne, former Eastender Sid Owen, actress Lisa Riley and Denise Van Outen.

Interestingly, comedian Johnny Ball will also feature.

He is the father of previous contestant and runner-up Zoe Ball and at the age of 74 years, is the oldest contestant in the show’s history.

Hosts Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly return to the helm, and Darcy Bussell joins the judging panel, replacing Alesha Dixon who quit the programme to join Britain’s Got Talent.

The programme is expected to go head to head against the X Factor in the coming weeks.