Tennis star Hingis to compete in 'Strictly Come Dancing'

Former Wimbledon champion Martina Hingis, who is banned from tennis for cocaine abuse, was revealed today as a contestant in this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

Former Wimbledon champion Martina Hingis, who is banned from tennis for cocaine use, was revealed today as a contestant in this year's 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

Hingis, who is thought to be pocketing £50,000 (€57,117) for her part in the Saturday night family favourite, will compete against other celebrities including Oxo mum Lynda Bellingham, Ronnie Wood's estranged wife Jo, and former 'EastEnders' actress Natalie Cassidy.

The BBC refused to comment on Hingis's pay and said it was "delighted" to have the star on the show.

Hingis, 28, who won five grand slam titles, was banned for two years by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in 2008 after testing positive for the drug during the 2007 Wimbledon tournament.

She claims she is "100% innocent", but the ITF ruled against her and ordered her to repay nearly £80,000 (€91,386) in prize money.

John Beyer, of campaign group mediawatch-UK, questioned the BBC's decision.

He said: "This is a family show that is targeted at a family audience.

"The danger is that this decision would tend to minimise the seriousness of her drug-taking, which resulted in a ban on her playing.

"The BBC could have put in many other personalities who I'm sure would love to take part in the show and they could have chosen someone without that record. The question is whether it sets a good or bad example."

Speaking at the series launch in London, Hingis said of her past: "It's behind me, this is a new challenge.

"I want people to see a different side to me than the person running round the tennis court."

Speaking about the competition, she said: "Everything I do, I do to win. I am very competitive."

The BBC said in a statement: "As she herself said today, her past is behind her and she is looking forward to a new challenge on the show."

Joe Calzaghe has already been tipped by bookies as an early favourite to win.

Asked if he would get a ribbing back home for wearing sequins, Britain's only undefeated boxing world champion said: "To be honest, I probably won't go out alone for a while - only joking, people love it."

Joining the 'Strictly' line-up are retired jockey Richard Dunwoody, Olympic long jumper Jade Johnson and former England cricketer Phil Tufnell.

The former England and Middlesex spinner emerged as king of the jungle in the 2003 series of 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!'.

He would be the third cricketer to win, following Mark Ramprakash and Darren Gough.

But downplaying his chances, Tufnell said: "I'm a cricketer who can't dance, mate ... The main thing is to enjoy it."

The new series has already been plunged into an age row following the axing of choreographer Arlene Phillips, 66, as a judge, after six series.

At 61, Bellingham is this year's oldest contestant - but she felt the age row had been whipped up.

She said: "I'm proud that I'm in, I'm flattered that I have been asked. If anything, I feel a lot of responsibility to make good. If you look at the people who have won, they have been fabulous dancers."

The full line-up is: Joe Calzaghe, Ali Bastian, Richard Dunwoody, Lynda Bellingham, Ricky Groves, Natalie Cassidy, Chris Hollins, Martina Hingis, Craig Kelly, Jade Johnson, Phil Tufnell, Zoe Lucker, Ricky Whittle, Laila Rouass, Rav Wilding and Jo Wood.