The couples take to the floor for the first time! But who will strut their stuff – and who will have two left feet? Join us for every step of the way
Judges’ scores: 4, 6, 5, 6 for a total of 21 points. Don’t sit on the loo. EVER. Could get painful and/or messy.
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3m ago
19.26 BST
Judges’ comments: Shirley says “great start, beautiful movement, I loved the passion and intensity but don’t hang on his arm with your left hand”. Anton says “Johannes is clever but not quite enough in hold, lots to like, atmosphere, new feel to old-fashioned dance, super duper”. Craig says “shoulders raised, lumpy, fly flat, loved the drama and intent”. Motsi concludes “moved like a sleek fox, technique lacking but you were into it emotionally”. Sixes, are we saying?
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7m ago
19.23 BST
Alex and Jojo’s Viennese waltz
Dogs are the new nans, as Alex’s pooch appears in the training VT. Actor Alex Kingston and much-loved pro Johannes Radebe – a classy and loveable pairing if ever there was one – take to the floor for the first Viennese waltz of the year. Dramatic, almost Bond-like. Excellent characterisation from such a fine actor. Spinning around romantically. Floating and twirling, The judges will have be looking out for fleckerls and classic contra checks. Swishy skirt-ography, plenty of pizzazz, major drama. Strong finish. She’s loving it. So am I.
Song: Cry Me a River by Michael Bublé. See what they did there? One of Alex’s best-known roles was River Song in Doctor Who. Mickey Bubbles’ version of the 1950s jazz ballad charted in 2009 but not as high as Denise Welch’s rendition, weirdly.
Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe.
Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PA
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10m ago
19.19 BST
Ginger Neil gets his moment
Benched pro Neil Jones gets to read out the voting Ts and Cs, like a competition winner. Aww, look at his little face.
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11m ago
19.18 BST
Judges’ scores: 3, 4, 3, 4 for a total of 14 points. He needs to “be more duck”. “A week one score,” says Claudia sweetly.
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13m ago
19.16 BST
Judges’ comments: Motsi says “intention like a captain, recognisable steps but work on the fundamentals”. Shirley says “you’ve got the frame of a ballroom dancer but there were timing issues, no heel leads, weight too far back and flat-footed but you show promise”. Anton says “good effort and focus, you’ve got the samba out of the wat, hooray”. Craig concludes “lacked fluidity, bounce and hip action, quite disconnected m sort your arms out, heavy and stiff”. Fours and fives, do we think?
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17m ago
19.13 BST
First “They’re on their feet!” of the year from Tess.
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17m ago
19.12 BST
Chris and Nadiya’s samba
On a big day for England’s rugby union teams, can former men’s captain Chris Robshaw loosen up his hips and travel from Twickenham to Brazil? High pressure to open the series. Rugby ball-graphy to start. Partner Nadiya Bychkova is doing her best, dancing around him gamely, but he lacks rhythm, bounce and fluidity. Better in partner work than solo. Not quite a dance-dis-ah-ster but definite dad-at-a-disco vibes.
Song: Unbelievable by EMF. Not what you’d call a traditional samba tune but certainly an early 90s indie-dance banger.
Chris and Nadiya.
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Chris and Nadiya. Photograph: PHOTOGRAPHER:/CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston
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21m ago
19.08 BST
Our Strictly stars™
Alan “Deadly” Dedicoat, voice of the balls (no sniggering at the back), announces our couples for the first time this year. They emerge blinking at the top of the staircase for a mildly terrified wave. Fancy dress includes masses of fringing and see-through shirts for the boys. Karen and Carlos in a football kit. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in Chelsea blue. It’s like Match Of The Day around here.
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23m ago
19.06 BST
A shout out to Dani Dyer in her surgical ankle boot. Get well soon.
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Motsi looking amazing. GREAT HAIR.
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24m ago
19.06 BST
Judges are in the house
Here comes the quartet of Judgey McJudgefaces, aka Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas. Spins, side-to-side steps, sparkle and…. a synchronised sit-down.
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25m ago
19.05 BST
Frockwatch
Here come our presenting pair, so time for our finery face-off. Tess Daly is dressed as an asymmetric Quality Street. Claudia Winkleman in monochrome with a silk shirt and cigarette trouser. Claud clearly wins.
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25m ago
19.04 BST
A good opener with a whiff of Butlin’s/a cruise ship.
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27m ago
19.03 BST
Now we’ve moved into the Noughties, with Motsi Mabuse dancing a rumba to Alone by Heart. Tune. Not enough wind machines and dry ice for my liking, though.
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27m ago
19.02 BST
And now we’ve moved into the 80s with “the Queen Of Latin herself”, head judge Shirley Ballas. This is quite fun, albeit a tad self-indulgent.
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28m ago
19.01 BST
Group number from the pros and judges
We open with the Strictly troupe showing the stage-frightened celebrities how it’s done. It’s a 70s Come Dancing theme with Craig and Anton in period fancy dress.
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30m ago
19.00 BST
