( CNN ) -- In recent seasons , `` Dancing With the Stars '' has given exposure to such unlikely dancers as `` Cheers '' and Pixar favorite John Ratzenberger , magician Penn Jillette and Oscar-winning octogenarian actress Cloris Leachman . Kathy Ireland is among the contestants who will take part in the `` Dancing With the Stars ' '' ninth season . But this year , the show is adding an even more unusual guest : A Hammer . Former Republican Majority Leader Tom DeLay -- known as `` the Hammer '' for his tough-minded tactics -- is among the contestants for the show 's ninth edition , ABC announced Monday . Host Tom Bergeron and contestant Donny Osmond appeared on the network 's `` Good Morning America '' to make the announcement . `` This is the season where we have a cast that is as big as some of your family reunions , '' Bergeron joked to Osmond , a member of the Osmond family of entertainers . Blog : Are these really 'Stars ' ? Joining Osmond and DeLay will be Kelly Osbourne ; former Dallas Cowboy Michael Irvin ; models Kathy Ireland and Joanna Krupa ; singers Macy Gray , Mya and Aaron Carter ; actresses Melissa Joan Hart and Debi Mazar ; Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin ; ex-UFC fighter Chuck Liddell ; snowboarder Louie Vito ; and actors Mark Dacascos and Ashley Hamilton . Bergeron said this season will be a bit different as the show will have double elimination in the middle of the season . `` It will be a ballroom bloodbath , '' Bergeron said . The new season of `` Dancing With the Stars '' begins September 21 . Last season 's winner was gymnast Shawn Johnson .
Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay among ` ` ' '' guests . Also scheduled for the ninth season : Melissa Joan Hart , snowboarder Louie Vito . Show adding a double - elimination format : ` ` It will be a ' bloodbath , '' he says .