The stars of Strictly Come Dancing have suffered from a string of injuries while rehearsing for the show.

Celebrities appearing on the new series, which begins on BBC One tonight, have been left wounded in their efforts to follow in the footsteps of past winners Natasha Kaplinsky and Jill Halfpenny.

Zoe Ball has managed to crick her neck and is now in pain every time she dances, while former EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer is suffering from "motion sickness" and feels ill when she performs.

Meanwhile, newsreader Bill Turnbull has received medical attention due to back pain, chat show star Gloria Hunniford is complaining about sores on her feet, and chef James Martin caused concern for producers after losing a stone in two weeks following non-stop rehearsals.

A spokesman told the Daily Star, "Viewers can expect to see some amazing performances on the first show, even if many of the stars have suffered injuries."