West Olympic swimming hero Mark Foster is to swap the pool for the dancefloor after he was named as one of the contestants on Strictly Come Dancing.

The six-time world champion from Bath will feature in an expanded show with 16 celebrities vying to win the BBC TV series.

And the swimmer, who carried the British flag at the Olympic opening ceremony, warned the judges he won't take any barbed words lightly.

Foster is just back from his fifth Olympic games - he is arguably Britain's most successful male swimmer.

And he'll be jumping from the Beijing Water Cube into the glittering surroundings of the Strictly studio, alongside dance professional partner Hayley Holt.

He said he likes to be vocal about issues he feels strongly about and warns the Strictly Come Dancing judges to watch out.

Mark said: "I'm sure I'll enjoy some good natured banter with them. I was an avid viewer when my friend Colin Jackson was the runner-up in 2005, and understand that this in a once-in-a-lifetime chance."