Strictly Come Tufnell

	Darren Gough and dance partner Lilia Kopylova after winning the Strictly Come Dancing's Christmas Special © BBC

Cricketers have an excellent record when it comes to the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, a talent show which pairs B and C-list celebrities with professional dancers. In 2005 Darren Gough was the winner and a year later Mark Ramprakash took the title.

However, the chances of a hat-trick appeared to have all but disappeared with the news that this autumn’s series includes former England spinner turned career geezer, Phil Tufnell. Although his post-playing career burgeoned when he won another show - I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here - this one relies more on suppleness and footwork and less on the ability to eat jungle grubs and lark about.

Newspaper reports claim that Tufnell is being paid £30,000 to participate.

Joining him will be a range of individuals from the world of sport and entertainment, including former world champion boxer Joe Calzaghe, five-times tennis grand-slam winner Martina Hingis, retired jockey Richard Dunwoody, and the usual rabble of current and former soap stars.