Metcalfe, Essex sign up for Splash! (From Knutsford Guardian)

Metcalfe, Essex sign up for Splash!

11:18am Wednesday 2nd January 2013 in National Entertainment News © Press Association 2013

Hollyoaks star Jennifer Metcalfe, The Only Way Is Essex's Joey Essex and Sugababe Jade Ewen are among the stars who will be taking the plunge in new reality TV show Splash!

Actress Tina Malone, comedians Dom Joly, Helen Lederer and Omid Djalili, and model Caprice will also take part in Tom Daley's programme, which will see the Olympic bronze medallist teaching the stars how to dive.

Tom said the show would give viewers a great insight into the sport. He added: "Viewers will see just how difficult and scary diving is - wait till you see the look of terror on some of the celebrities' faces!"

The line-up is completed by actor Jake Canuso, TV presenters Linda Barker, Jenni Falconer and Charlotte Jackson, Olympic ski jumper Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards, TV gardener Diarmuid Gavin and Olympic boxer Anthony Ogogo.

Presented by Gabby Logan and Vernon Kay, Splash! will see each contestant mix determination and drive as they choose which board to dive off to display the daredevil skills they have learned.

They will then be given their scores from the judges - Tom Daley and Team GB's diving coach Andy Banks, comedienne, writer and actress Jo Brand and former Olympic diving medallist Leon Taylor - before the phone lines open for viewers to pick their favourite.

Jade Ewen confessed she was so scared she was in tears when she started working on the series. She said: "I've never been able to swim very well. I hate water - it's a big fear for me, but I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to work with the best diving trainers in the country. I saw the trailer and it looked fantastic. I thought if it could help me become a bit braver, I'd love to do it."

The singer continued: "At the beginning I hated it. I was crying because I was so scared of drowning, I wanted to give up but my family talked me into continuing. The next day I tried one of the most difficult dives and thought, 'Actually, it's not so hard. I think I can do this.' Now I'm much more relaxed."

Splash! starts on Saturday January 5 at 7.15pm on ITV.