The X Factor: Battle Of The Stars follows the same format as the non-celeb series.

Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh will get their own group to mentor, either the 16-24s, over 25s or groups, and they'll find out, along with the audience, which one they've been allotted on the opening show. Viv Hardwick reports.

WEATHERMAN Michael Fish was reported to have stormed off swearing when the judges forecast his X Factor chances, but nine other celebrities big and small are still going to attempt to sing and win the latest version of the popular TV show.

Up to nine well-known, and not so known, celebs will find out from Monday, over eight nights, if they've got what it takes to find that vital X Factor when it comes to a successful singing act.

Entrants confirmed so far are former EastEnders star Lucy Benjamin, Paul Daniels and his wife Debbie McGee, page 3 model Michelle Marsh, nutrition guru Gillian McKeith, and Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles.

''I like to sing in the shower and have many years experience of singing in the bath, '' says Moyles of his vocal experience. ''One of the other areas where I am very competent is my rendition of Happy Birthday. All in all I am feeling pretty confident.'' Debbie McGee reveals her training is going fine and adds: ''But there isn't enough of it. I've been doing quite a bit of practising around the house as well.

Paul has just been thinking about it.'' Gillian McKeith reckons she still requires another year of lessons but comments: ''I've been eating loads of raw shelled hemp seeds as well, and drinking shots of wild blue liquid green algae. I have created the Gillian McKeith X Factor diet so I know I will be in top form.'' Among the last-minute names for the show are Hollyoaks actress Jodi Albert, former Atomic Kitten Kerry Katona, Jordan, Jade Goody, Rebecca Loos and sports names such as Chris Eubank, Gavin Henson and Sol Campbell, with no fewer than three Coronation Street actresses on the wanted list.

The programme-makers are also reported to have contacted Big Brother 5's Michelle Bass, Neighbours and The Bill star Daniel MacPherson, who presented the Australian X Factor.

Victoria Beckham and Coleen McLoughlin were also headhunted at one stage, but are unlikely to have said yes.

Judges Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh are once again unlikely to put their differences aside as they compete to make the best of their celebrity singers.

Walsh has already laid into McKeith, before he's even heard her sing.

He says: ''I hope I don't get Gillian McKeith. She should be at home watching the TV instead of being on the screen. I don't get this woman. She looks like she was hit by a bus.'' But McKeith, who is just as famous as the judges for making honest and barbed comments to those who brave her TV show, You Are What You Eat, is not willing to take any negativity from the judges.

She hit back: ''I will come after them with an enema tube and wash out their bad attitude if they say anything negative. They should be more worried about facing me. I don't mince my words.'' There are those who are a little more fearful of facing the judges, however.

''As much as I'd like to say I won't let what they say affect me, it so will, '' says Benjamin. ''I have no confidence when it comes to singing anyway, so it'll probably just make me want to crawl into my shell and not come out again.'' Michelle Marsh adds: ''I'm probably most nervous about facing Sharon because she is a woman and I'm a glamour model. I just hope she doesn't judge me on anything other than my singing.'' Moyles chips in: ''I would say I'm nervous about Sharon as well, because if you upset her then you upset Ozzy, and that's a complete no-no as he is a god.'' Once the judges have been given their categories, the singing will begin, with a celebrity being voted off each night by the public before the final on Monday, June 5.

The money from the phone votes for each celebrity goes to that celebrity's chosen charity. There's no record deal, but rest assured record companies will be watching to spot any potential new pop stars.

The celebrities will have to get past the judges first, however, and that other X Factor stalwart Kate Thornton will be on duty to provide the celebrities some support as they face Simon, Sharon and Louis.

She says: ''I've no doubt that despite the celebrities' fame my hand holding will still be in high demand as they take on the judges often harsh words. Let's just hope I'm not having to mop up too many tears.'' The X Factor: Battle Of The Stars is on ITV1 from Monday at 9pm