The Hammer is back. Tom DeLay, who was House majority leader from 2003–2005, once again is taking his place in the American media spotlight.
But instead of attempting to dance around charges that he conspired to violate campaign finance laws, the Texas Republican will be tripping the light fantastic on the American reality show Dancing With the Stars.
DeLay, who was known as "The Hammer" for his methods of enforcing Republican discipline in the US House, was a key player in the impeachment of Bill Clinton in 1998, convincing congressmen to vote for two articles of impeachment.
In 2005 DeLay was indicted on criminal charges that he conspired to violate campaign finance laws. Due to Republican rules, he was forced to quit his congressional leadership role. The case against him still has not been brought before a jury by prosecutors.
The 62-year-old DeLay joins 15 others on the fall season of the popular programme. They include Donny Osmond (whose sister Marie has already appeared - and famously fainted - on the show); singers Mya, Macy Gray and Aaron Carter; actors Melissa Joan Hart, Debi Mazar and Ashley Hamilton; models Joanna Krupa and Kathy Ireland; reality TV stars Kelly Osbourne and Mark Dacascos; mixed martial arts fighter Chuck Liddell; professional snowboarder Louie Vito; Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin and former NFL star Michael Irvin.
It all begins on 21 September on ABC.
