There's even a star turn from Buttons (our very own Brucie). So, without further ado, take your partners and cancel your social life for the next 12 weeks, for Strictly Come Dancing is back for series six.

The show's incredible success has taken everyone by surprise. It has average viewing figures of 8.5 million, with more than 11 million tuning in to see Alesha Dixon's win last year. Yet, with many of us still pretending we don't watch, it has become the nation's guilty secret. While there are the out-and-proud fans of the show, one survey revealed that many more only reluctantly admit to watching – and even those who say they don't are suspiciously knowledgeable about kicks, flicks, twirls and lifts. Male TV viewers voted Strictly Come Dancing their greatest 'guilty pleasure' in a survey for the Radio Times – confessing they'd never admit to their friends they watch the show, for fear of being ridiculed.

So what is the attraction? What makes otherwise sane people lie to their friends, cancel plans for the weekend and stay in to join Brucie et al for a twirl around the dancefloor? Maybe it's the heady mix of spangles and pre-watershed flesh-flashing that has millions of us gripped every Saturday evening (and, for some diehard fans, through the week as we tune in to It Takes Two to study everything from the frock designs to the backstage friction).

Those chaps who answered the survey admitted they secretly tuned into the series for the 'smallness of the costumes' as well as 'the drama, the humour and the frocks'. And let's not ignore the underlying sexual tension – the are-they-aren't-they antics of Natasha and Brendan, Matt and Flavia, and Kate and Anton. (No one has a surname in this wonderful world of light entertainment; everyone is our friend – we cry for them when their heel snaps, feel their pain when their microphone cable gets tangled up in their tux or their sequins come loose during a particularly passionate paso doble.)

But more than anything, Strictly Come Dancing is just good, clean fun – a return to the old days of Saturday-night variety, where families can sit around the television together rooting for their favourite stars. You can keep The X Factor, with its public humiliation, nasty put-downs and playground bullying – we'd rather have tiaras than tantrums.

The new series starts on September 20, and although the celebrity contestants have yet to be confirmed, some names have leaked out. Avid viewers may see a formula emerging. First, we have former S Club poster girl Rachel Stevens slipping neatly into the eye-candy role vacated by the likes of Kelly Brook and Emma Bunton; former footballer Teddy Sheringham as the one-time sports star (previous years' contestants have included Kenny Logan, John Barnes and Colin Jackson); there's Gary Rhodes hoping he can recreate the James Martin magic; Andrew Castle is doing his bit for GMTV (is the broadcaster not running out of dancers yet?); and model Jodie Kidd, who is not only easy on the eye but has had a tough year following a newspaper drugs sting that led to Marks & Spencer dropping her from its roster of big names. (Last year, viewers took singer Alesha to their hearts after learning of her unhappy love life, proving we're all suckers for a hard-luck story.)

There has even been talk of a Katie Price-Peter Andre double act to rival that of Kenny and Gabby Logan last year, but we can only hope that this is someone's idea of a cruel joke.

So popular is the show, in fact, that stars are now putting their names forward. This week saw Richard Madeley throw his hat into the ring. Speaking at the Edinburgh Television Festival, the presenter claimed he had been asked to take part every year but had been forced to refuse due to work commitments. But now that he and Judy Finnigan are surplus to Channel 4's requirements, he says, "It is the only reality TV I would cheerfully consider doing. I want to do Strictly and I want to do it well."

Sharon Osbourne, too, could be in the running for 2009. Superseded by the younger, skinnier Cheryl Cole, she may well be looking to get back on to prime-time, but she claims she turned down an offer to appear in The X Factor's rival this year because "it would look so rotten, so wrong". Still, "maybe next year", she added.

It is not surprising that celebs are queuing up to take part. Apart from the opportunity to get a six-pack like Flavia's, it can't do your career any harm. Natasha Kaplinsky is perhaps the most famous winner, having danced off with the prize in series one… right into a nice little £1 million-a-year earner with Five News. After winning series two, EastEnders actress Jill Halfpenny was picked to play Roxie Hart in the West End musical Chicago, and Aled Jones became the nation's favourite former choirboy when he took part the same year – he is now a popular radio presenter.

Cricketer Mark Ramprakash won series four – and gained a whole new fan base in the process – while Kelly Brook's profile has never been greater (and let's face it, it has always been pretty great) since she took part in series five, despite the fact that she had to withdraw from the competition following the death of her father.

Some other performances have been less memorable: David Dickinson, anyone? Quentin Willson? Siobhan Hayes? Carol Vorderman is said to deeply regret taking part, after being described as "a Sharon Osbourne wannabe without the looks, brains or humour". Ouch!

And while the celebs are put through their paces on the dancefloor, the rest of the team are giving their bank accounts a serious workout. The four judges are rumoured to be pocketing £90,000 each for this series, after forcing the BBC to give them a tidy pay rise. Lucky Bruno and Len Goodman will receive even more, thanks to their gig on the other side of the pond. The pair fly between London and LA every week to film Dancing with the Stars, the US version of the show, though this is said to have created a rift between them and their fellow judges Arlene and Craig. The professional dancers, meanwhile, each receive £30,000 a series.

Even Bruce Forsyth admits his career was "dead and buried" before Strictly came along. It was only when he appeared on an edition of Have I Got News for You that BBC bosses realised the value of the old trooper's off-the-cuff banter. Earlier this year, he was honoured with a Bafta fellowship and a BBC special to celebrate his 80th birthday.

So, hate it or love it (oh yes you do!), Strictly Come Dancing has become a national institution, more cheesy than the cha cha cha, and all the more fun for it. As Brucie and Tess would say, keeeeeep dancing.

And the winner is...

WITH just three weeks to go until they are under starter's orders, there's still lots of discussion and debate about the final line-up. But, of those in the running so far, what are their chances of reaching this year's final?

Gary Rhodes

The chef saw what getting tangoed could do for kitchen cohort James Martin – does he want a slice of the action for himself? Odds 22/1

Austin Healey

Strictly's romance with rugby players continues. He'll be fit, but we can't guarantee the scrum-half will be particularly light on his feet. Odds 33/1

Christine Bleakley

The Belfast-born co-presenter of The One Show is a fit sort – she goes running every day – and could be a bit of a dark horse. Odds 10/1

Rachel Stevens

The lad-mag covers have dried up and she hasn't had a hit for years, but she's sure to get the boys' votes. Odds 5/4 favourite

Don Warrington

Best known for playing Philip Smith in Rising Damp, the veteran actor is now a fully paid up member of the Grumpy Old Men club. Odds 50/1 he'll crack a smile

Lisa Snowdon

The former girlfriend of George Clooney, ex-model and TV presenter slots conveniently into the spangled slingbacks of Penny Lancaster this year. Unfortunately, we're unlikely to see George cheering her on from the sidelines, but we can hope… Odds 33/1 (10/1 if George shows up)

Team EastEnders

The soap has refused to free any of its stars from their filming commitments, but a trio of Walford graduates has been tipped to appear, namely Phil Daniels, Jessie Wallace (above) and Gillian Taylforth. Odds 66/1

Jodie Kidd

The former model, celebrity golfer and polo player might get the sympathy vote following her tough year. Odds 20/1

Andrew Castle

One can only hope the former tennis player has more sense of rhythm than his GMTV sofa mate Fiona Phillips Odds 50/1

Heather Small

In 1993, the M People singer was 'Moving On Up' and she belted out the theme tune to bring the Olympics to London in 2012. Will she make her former bandmates 'Proud'? Odds 50/1

Mark Foster

At 38, the swimmer was the oldest member of Team GB in Beijing. Looks good – and anyone who can manage the butterfly must have some sense of rhythm. Odds 10/1

Tom Chambers

He plays handsome Dr Sam Strachan in Holby City, but does he know his samba from his stethoscope? Odds 20/1

Cherie Lunghi

So, you've played Guinevere, been a coffee queen, appeared in Casualty and come, er, 92nd in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World… Where does an actress's career go from there? Odds 33/1

Teddy Sheringham

The former West Ham and Manchester United striker could be kicking off his studs and waltzing into the spotlight. Don't fancy his chances. Odds 50/1

John Sergeant

The BBC's former chief political correspondent is a regular on Have I Got News for You and The One Show, but we doubt he'll have staying power on the dancefloor. Odds 100/1

Fantasy line-up - The boys

Johnny Depp

The actor is said to be a big fan of the show, so once you get bored playing Captain Jack Sparrow, Johnny…

Alan Rickman

After that sizzling tango with Sharleen Spiteri for Texas's 'In Demand' video, the gorgeous Mr Rickman gets our vote.

Christopher Walken

The Deer Hunter star demonstrated his fancy footwork in Fatboy Slim's 'Weapon of Choice' video. We'd like to see more.

Simon Pegg

Self-deprecating and down to earth – two qualities not usually associated with ballroom dancers.

Daniel Craig

Just because. Do we need a reason?

Johnny Rotten

Let's have some anarchy in the ballroom.

Team GB's rowing squad

We're talking upper-body strength in spades – lifts would be no problem for these boys. And who knew rowing could be so sexy?

Fantasy line-up - The girls

Kylie Minogue

The little pop pixie going head to head with sister Dannii on the other side? How's that for compulsive viewing?

Keeley Hazell

Apparently boys like the glamour model for her brain, not her 32E bra size.

Judy Finnigan

Come on, Jude – if Richard's game, you should do it too. You'd be the equivalent of last year's Kenny and Gabby muscle fest…

Lorraine Kelly

It wouldn't even matter if the lovely Lorraine wasn't very good – with her position as a gay icon, she'd probably last even longer than Kate Garraway.

Joan Collins

If it's good enough for Stephanie Beacham, Collins's nemesis in Dynasty, it's good enough for our Joanie. Let the bitching begin.

Natalie Imbruglia

Every show needs a former pop poppet whose star is waning. It helps if she's easy on the eye as well.

Beyoncé

Is the world ready for her jelly? Bring it on!