NBC has announced the 16 contestants for the new season of “The Biggest Loser,” premiering with a two-hour episode on Tuesday, Sept. 15.

One of the new cast members is familiar. Daniel Wright, now 20, who went from 454 pounds to 312 last season, returns to “finish the weight loss journey” he started as the show’s heaviest contestant ever. Even heavier, at 476 pounds, is Shay Sorrells, 30, a social worker and member of the new cast. For more details, here is NBC’s full release.

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. August 20, 2009 NBC’s hit series “The Biggest Loser” returns for season eight with a special theme of “second chances” and a must-see premiere on Tuesday, September 15 (8-10 p.m. ET). Alison Sweeney (”Days of our Lives”) hosts the popular series, and trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels return to train 16 contestants eager to get their second chances at a new lease on life.

Their individual stories are compelling, from a firefighter (Allen Smith) whose health and job are at risk because of his weight to a military wife and mother of four (Tracey Yukich) who has always put others first. Viewers will also meet a remarkable woman (Abby Rike) who endured the worst tragedy imaginable losing her husband and two children in a deadly car crash and who now gets a second chance to restart her life.

Last season’s heaviest contestant and fan favorite Daniel Wright will also return for a second chance to finish the weight loss journey he started in season seven, going from 454 lbs. to 312 lbs. He’ll inspire a female social worker (Shay Sorrells) that has taken his place as the heaviest contestant in the history of “The Biggest Loser,” weighing in at 476 lbs. Also included in the new season of players is Amanda Arlauskas, a 19-year old who was voted in by America during the season 7 finale of the show in May, and hopes to get a second chance to live the life she always dreamed of living. They’ll all come together for a second chance to transform their bodies, their health and ultimately their lives.

The new contestants competing for the $250,000 grand prize are:

SEAN ALGAIER (Youth Pastor), 29, Tulsa, OK.

AMANDA ARLAUSKAS (Patient Care Technician), 19, Butler, NJ.

DANNY CAHILL (Land Surveyor/Musician), 39, Broken Arrow, OK.

MOZZIZ “MO” DEWALT (Youth Mentor), 56, Louisville, KY.

ANTOINE DOVE (Health Insurance Agent), 23, Dudley, NC.

JULIO GOMEZ (Mortgage Loan Officer), 40, Algonquin, IL.

DINA MERCADO (Custodian), 28, Commerce, CA.

REBECCA MEYER (Student/Nanny), 25, Des Moines, IA.

RUDY PAULS (Engineer), 31, Brooklyn, CT.

ABBY RIKE (Teacher), 35, Mabank, TX.

ALLEN SMITH (Firefighter/EMT), 44, Columbus, IN.

SHAUNTINA “SHAY” SORRELLS (Social Worker), 30, Newport Beach, CA.

ALEXANDRA WHITE (Student), 20, Harrisburg, PA.

DANIEL WRIGHT (Student), 20, Willow Spring, NC.

LIZ YOUNG (Salesperson), 49, Lewisburg, TN.

TRACEY YUKICH (Homemaker), 37, Allen, TX.