"THE BACHELOR'S" SEAN LOWE JOINS THE CAST OF "DANCING WITH THE STARS," PREMIERING MONDAY, MARCH 18 ON ABC

"Dancing with the Stars the Results Show" Premieres in Week Two, With the First Elimination on Tuesday, March 26

As announced this morning exclusively on ABC's "Good Morning America," newly engaged Sean Lowe ("The Bachelor") is to join the cast of "Dancing with the Stars." The popular show twirls its way back onto American television screens to kick off Season 16, live MONDAY, MARCH 18 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET) with a thrilling two-hour season premiere. The season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars the Results Show" airs TUESDAY, MARCH 26 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET).

SEAN LOWE -- Sean Lowe has set hearts aflutter as the star of the "The Bachelor," which just concluded its 17th season on ABC. Having found new love, Sean is engaged to Catherine Giudici. His "rosy" journey to "The Bachelor" was not without its, well... thorns. Originally a contestant on the eighth edition of "The Bachelorette," Sean was eliminated right before the show's finale. But heartbreak didn't derail his pursuit of love and happiness, as he soon signed on as ABC's next "Bachelor." A successful Dallas businessman and entrepreneur, Sean prides himself on his close-knit family. He went to Kansas State University on a full football scholarship and, as a linebacker, was part of the 2003 Big 12 Conference Championship team. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in social science. Sean began his career in finance, following in his father's footsteps in the insurance industry, before committing to his new enterprise, owning and running an upscale, custom furniture business. SEAN LOWE partners with PETA MURGATROYD.

Hosted by Tom Bergeron ("America's Funniest Home Videos") and Brooke Burke-Charvet ("Dancing with the Stars" Season Seven Champion), "Dancing with the Stars" is the hit series in which celebrities perform choreographed dance routines judged by renowned ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancers/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

About BBC Worldwide Productions

BBC Worldwide Productions is one of five core businesses under BBC Worldwide America, the U.S. division of the main commercial arm and wholly-owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), BBC Worldwide. Led by Jane Tranter, BBC Worldwide Productions is based in Los Angeles and develops and produces scripted and non-scripted projects for U.S. cable and broadcast networks, as well as digital platforms. The production company is responsible for titles including "Top Gear" (HISTORY), "What Not to Wear" (TLC), "Richard Hammond's Crash Course" (BBC AMERICA), "The Week the Women Went" (Lifetime), "Torchwood: Miracle Day" (Starz) and the cultural phenomenon "Dancing with the Stars" (ABC).

"Dancing with the Stars" and "Dancing with the Stars: The Results Show" returns this season with new surprises and all the performance elements viewers have come to know and love. "Macy's Stars of Dance," featuring some of the best choreographers and performers from the different styles of dance who offer viewers performances that represent the pinnacle of achievement in their genres, will also return.

The show also welcomes the return of the "AT&T Spotlight Performance," which features and celebrates people whose lives have been changed forever by dance. AT&T is also helping the search to find these performers by allowing fans to nominate potential dancers.

Viewers may cast their votes for their favorite teams via phone on Monday night during and up to 60 minutes after the "Dancing with the Stars" performance shows. AT&T customers may also vote by texting the word "VOTE" and entering the number that corresponds to the team they want to support (message and data rates may apply). Online voting at www.ABC.com is open from the start of each episode on the East Coast and closes at 11:00 a.m., ET/8:00 a.m., PT on Tuesday mornings. Additionally, fans can again vote on Facebook www.facebook.com/dancingwiththestars. A custom Facebook app sponsored by AT&T will let fans vote, share who they voted for and why, as well as see who friends voted for. They can also access the "Dancing with the Stars" Social Scene page, and the "AT&T Spotlight Performance" and Casting Call from the app.

"Dancing with the Stars" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG, L parental guideline.