Dancing With The Stars 2011 Cast Announced

Off the sidelines and back on the floor -- the 12th season cast of "Dancing With The Stars" has been announced.

ABC, which announced the cast during Monday night's episode of "The Bachelor," avoided any political drama -- unlike last season's casting of Bristol Palin, or the rumored approach to Delaware Republican Senate nominee Christine O'Donnell -- but that doesn't mean the cast was devoid of big names -- it's one of the brightest groups yet.

Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard will look to apply his sweet steps to the dance floor, as will fleet footed Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward. TV host Wendy Williams and Kirstie Alley, along with Kendra Wilkinson of the E! shows "The Girls Next Door" and "Kendra," will lead the ladies in the field.

'Dancing With the Stars' 2011: Season 12 Cast Announced

The 'Dancing With the Stars' 2011 spring cast, announced Monday night during 'The Bachelor,' includes a talk show host, model, football star, '80s acting faves and Disney Channel starlet. So, all in all, it was a typical line-up for the popular ABC reality show.

The rumors we reported earlier came true: 'Cheers' star Kirstie Alley and former Hugh Hefner girlfriend Kendra Wilkinson were both on the official roster. And while Tea Party candidate Christine O'Donnell didn't end up joining 'DWTS' (and neither did Joy Behar, despite our wish list), pro wrestler Chris Jericho and talk show host Wendy Williams will be among the celebrities shaking their hips.

Two of the bigger names on the cast are actors who broke out in the '80s -- Kirstie Alley and Ralph Macchio. Can the 'Cheers' star and the 'Karate Kid' have a shot at following in the foosteps of Jennifer Grey, who starred in the classic 'Dirty Dancing'?

So why did Alley decide to go 'Dancing'? "Hmm, why?" Alley mused. "I don't know, pass that to someone else!"

When 'DWTS' alum and 'Good Morning America' correspondent Cameron Mathison asked her how she'd make herself more likable, Alley responded, "I think we're just here trying not to fall on our butts the first week!"