AN ANDOVER celebrity has been announced as the first star to take part in a primetime TV dance contest.

It has been revealed that presenter and campaigner Katie Piper is competing in this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

The 34-year-old, who survived an acid attack 10 years ago, was unveiled on BBC Breakfast as the first contestant.

She said: "For me, it's really out of my comfort zone and it's nothing like I've ever done before, so I was really worried - will I be the first person to go home?"

Katie was the guest of honour and host at last year's Pride Of Andover Awards.

She remains active locally, and will be opening this year's Andover Lake Run on September 16.

Katie said that keeping the news a secret was difficult, and added: "The only person I told was my husband, through text message, and he thought I was joking."

"I like having fun and music and parties, but dance-wise, I went to a musical on Thursday with my friend, and he noted that I wasn't even clapping in time, so in terms of rhythm, I don't know how well that's going to go."

In March 2008, Piper was the victim of an acid attack in an assault that was arranged by her former partner.

She was left partially blind, with severe scarring to her face, chest, neck, arm and hands, after sulphuric acid was thrown in her face.

Now a TV presenter, author and campaigner, who supports acid attack survivors through her charity the Katie Piper Foundation, she has undergone more than 250 operations over the past decade.

The identity of the remaining contestants on this year's series of the dancing competition will be revealed over the coming days.

The new series, believed to be starting in early September, will see presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman return, along with judges Shirley Ballas, Bruno Tonioli, Dame Darcey Bussell and Craig Revel Horwood.