THE starr studded Strictly Come Dancing returns tonight with a well-known local face taking to the ballroom.

Overton’s Mike Bushell will show off his moves as the new series of the BBC show kicks off, seeing 15 celebrities partner up with professional dancers.

Partnered with Katya Jones, Mike will be taking on the jive for his first dance to Do You Love Me by The Contours.

But ahead of the show the 53-year-old BBC Breakfast sports presenter has revealed that training has not gone too smooth sailing, speaking to BBC Radio Solent.

He has admitted that his body is “broken” and said that Katya has accidentally “kicked” him in the face during rehearsals.

He said: “My body at times has felt broken! Aching in all sorts of places… under the balls of the feet because I’m doing the Jive, and you have to jump up and down a lot, and I’m not used to that, so that hurts!”

He added: “I’ve been kicked in the face inadvertently by my partner Katya.

“I’ve also been hit by a stick, again inadvertently, I’ve got bruised ribs and already we’re trying a few lifts for the second week!

“And honestly my arm is so bruised! Not that there’s anything wrong with it, it’s just impact, it’s not used to, and in places it’s not used to!”

And the bookmakers are already taking bets on who is likely to lift the glitterball this series, with odds for Mike to win at 50-1, currently favourite is CBBC actor and presenter Karim Zeroual at 7-2.

Harry Aitkenhead, of Coral, said: "For Strictly fans, the wait is over and the race for the glitterball trophy is up and running.

"We think Karim is going to be the one to beat this year and he is our favourite to win the 2019 series.

"Emma, Alex and Kelvin (Fletcher) have all been popular bets from punters in the run-up to the first dances and they could also be set for a long winter on the dancefloor."