Top chef Gary Rhodes is one of the celebrity contestants in this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

The BBC unveiled the line-up for the sixth series today.

Gary, who was brought up and educated in Gillingham, has been paired with professional dancer Karen Hardy, who won the 2006 show with cricketer Mark Ramprakash.

Gary went to Twydall Junior School and the Howard School in Rainham before going to catering college.

He has been a chef for more than 30 years, run Michelin-starred restaurants and featuref in his own TV programmes.

Professional dancer James Jordan, who was born in Chatham, will be partnered by actress Cherie Lunghi when the series starts in September.

Other celebrities taking part this year include Olympic swimmer Mark Foster, ex-EastEnders actresses Jessie Wallace and Gillian Taylforth and model Jodie Kidd.