Name: Valerie Murzak
Age: 18
Talent: Balancing contortionist
Background: Valerie was born in Moscow to circus-performing parents who are both acrobats. Valerie started training at the age of five and by six she was performing at the Nikulin Circus in Moscow.

Valerie moved to the UK when she was 10 to take part in the Eclipse Circus Musical Show in Blackpool. Her balancing act was originally developed by her father and he was to perform with her, but by 13 she was too tall and so it soon became a solo act. Valerie says performing is part of her life and appearing on the show would prove to her school teachers that it's possible to succeed as an acrobat, as they always told her to get a 'proper job'!

Name: Kevin Johnson
Age: 36
Talent: Ventriloquist
Background: Kevin's interest in ventriloquism began after his parents gave him a pull-string dummy for Christmas when he was nine, and over four years he taught himself.

Kevin admits he has struggled to make a career out of ventriloquism but he's now found his own niche known as 'Godzilla Theatre'. His amazing talent is being able to mimic a badly-dubbed movie, where the words you heard don't appear to be the ones coming out of his mouth. This has taken Kevin years of practice, although he does have a physical advantage, "My Adam's apple is higher than most, and I try not to flex it, so it only moves in certain spots when I look left or right," he says.

A Legoland performer for the past seven years, Kevin performs three times a day Monday to Friday, and loves performing for families and children.

Name: James Brown
Age: 30
Talent: Pickpocket and Magician
Background: James is a full-time magician and Associate in the Inner Magic Circle. He became interested in the art of illusion at the age of 20 when he saw his first magic act and wondered how the magician did his tricks.

James lives in Bournemouth with his wife and son who are very excited about him being on the show. He was the Magic Circle's Close-up Magician of the Year 2006.

Name: Shaun Walsh
Age: 11
Talent: Singer
Background: Shaun is from a large, close family and is the youngest of four siblings. From the age of just eight, Shaun has been performing pieces to entertain his brothers and sisters, first dancing and then singing. Shaun entered his first competition in Manchester when he was eight and a half. It was called "Talented Youngster" and was hosted by Corrie's Kym Ryder. He went on to win £1000 singing The Jackson 5's classic hit 'Who's loving you?". Shaun's parents put him forward for When Will I Be Famous, and he's very excited as he loves being on stage.

Name: Zoo Nation
Age: various
Talent: Hip-hop dance troupe
Background: Zoo Nation was founded in 2000 by Kate Prince, while she was teaching at the famous Pineapple Dance Studios. There are 13 performers in the troupe, only half of whom are professional full-time dancers. In 2006, Zoo Nation performed their first commission, 'Into the Hoods', at the Sadlers Wells Peacock Theatre, bringing their own intrepretation to four popular fairytales. The show was a great success for the troupe but they admit that they're still very nervous about appearing on prime-time TV. "We're not a backing group this time," they said, adding "We're using our own choreography, and this time asking the nation to accept us as ourselves."

Name: Rob Alton
Age: 35
Talent: BMX acrobat
Background: Rob lives in Hungary with his wife Andrea, who is an aerial acrobat. Rob is the youngest of three brothers and is originally from Potters Bar in Hertfordshire. Rob began BMXing at a young age, learning from his older brother Steve. By the age of 13 he was completely hooked and after a year Rob decided he was good enough to compete. He joined the United Kingdom Freestyle Association and travelled the country entering competitions. In 1987 Rob competed in the BMX World Championships, missing out on a place in the final by just one point! In 1989, Rob won the title of BMX Flatland Champion.

Name: Tina Humphrey and Chandi (Dog)
Age: N/A
Talent: Dog dancing
Background: Tina lives in Shropshire with her two dogs Pepper and Chandi. She's loved dogs ever since she was nine years old, when her parents bought her first dog, a Labrador. She became fascinated with dog training when she first saw a canine freestyle show at Crufts in 1998. She is one of the UK's most experienced dog trainers and specialises in canine freestyling, also known as heelwork to music.

Tina and Chandi have been performing since Chandi was a nine-month-old puppy. Tina says her dogs are her life and she is choreographing a unique routine for the show. Tina isn't worried about performing in front of millions of people - she just wants them to know how talented Chandi is!

Name: Bruce Airhead
Age: 40
Talent: Getting into a giant balloon and emerging as a well known character
Background: Australian Bruce Airhead's real name is Lee James. He was born in Melbourne, Australia, and came to the UK 15 years ago. Lee's Bruce Airhead act developed from his previous work as a children's entertainer. He had been chatting with a friend about whether it was possible to get inside a balloon, and the following day his friend appeared carrying a six-foot balloon - the act developed from there!

Lee performs at children's parties, weddings, corporate events and festivals. He loves doing his act as the audience is always gobsmacked with the explosive finale and the change of outfit. Lee says the finale prompts an "amazing reaction from the crowd and, on most occasions, a standing ovation!".