FORMER York schoolboy Greg Wise has told how he has agreed to take part in Strictly Come Dancing in honour of his sister, who died five years ago.

The 55-year-old actor, who attended St Peter's School and is married to Oscar-winning actress Dame Emma Thompson, described his sister Clare as a 'huge disco queen.'

He said: “My gorgeous diva sis, who would have been insane with excitement that her little bro was doing this, I will channel her, as her bro can’t dance.

"But I’m thrilled to be dipping my toes, knees, hips and arms into this wonderful world, and hope to make her proud and, obviously, make her laugh.”

Greg is best known for roles in Sense And Sensibility, in which he starred opposite his wife, The Crown, Johnny English and Cranford.

The other 14 contestants taking part in the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing are:

*Ugo Monye, the former rugby player who works as a pundit for BT Sport and ITV and was recently announced as a new team captain on A Question Of Sport.

*Judi Love, the comedian and television presenter, who is known for appearing on Loose Women.

*Adam Peaty, the Olympic swimming champion, who won two golds and a silver at the Tokyo 2020 games.

*Rose Ayling-Ellis, the EastEnders actress, who will be the first deaf contestant to appear on the programme.

*Nina Wadia, the actress best known for playing Zainab Masood in EastEnders.

*Matilda ‘Tilly’ Ramsay, the TV presenter and influencer best known for presenting the cooking show Matilda And The Ramsay Bunch on CBBC alongside her famous chef father Gordon Ramsay and her family.

*Dan Walker, the BBC Breakfast host

*Katie McGlynn, best known for her role as Sinead Tinker in Coronation Street

*Sara Davies, the Dragon’s Den star and entrepreneur

*Tom Fletcher, the lead singer and guitarist of pop band McFly,

*Robert Webb, the actor and comedian best known for appearing alongside David Mitchell in Channel 4 comedy Peep Show

*AJ Odudu, who co-hosted the spin-off Big Brother’s Bit On The Side

*John Whaite, the chef, cookery writer and former winner of The Great British Bake Off

*Rhys Stephenson, the CBBC host