Delta Goodrem scored 29 points with professional partner Kai Widdrington in the first live show of the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing, putting her second on the leaderboard. The 41-year-old singer's Samba sparked debate among viewers about her dance experience, but she has spoken about how past humiliation over her dancing ultimately gave her confidence.
Delta has taken dance lessons before, as a child, but says she has no experience or formal training in ballroom or Latin. In 2014, American actor Marlon Wayans shared a video mocking her dancing at a Beyoncé and Jay-Z concert. The clip went viral, bringing public criticism that she initially struggled to deal with.
How humiliation changed her view
Looking back on The Life of Bryony podcast in 2025, Delta explained that the humiliation had ultimately helped her shake off her inhibitions. "There's always been that little bit in me that was a little bit shy to dance," she revealed. "That freedom that moment gave me, it's like if someone keeps pressing on a certain point where they're like, 'You can't dance.' And you're like, 'You know what? Awesome.'"
"Now I could dance in the street, I could dance right here. I could show you all my dance moves. I have no fear when it comes to dancing. All because I'd been completely humiliated. Thank you, now I can do an entire dance routine in my shows. I love it. I am ready to go."
No ballroom experience before the show
Despite years of performing as a singer, Delta has also explained why being on stage is very different from learning Strictly's routines. Her childhood dance lessons gave way to a focus on music, and choreography hasn't been a big part of her career. Speaking to new Strictly host Emma Willis in a BBC interview, she said: "I love dancing, but I don't get to dance. It's never been my role. My music doesn't sit in the space where I do a lot of choreography. I don't do a lot of dancing, and I don't think people associate me with dance."
"I've never done ballroom. I didn't even know there was a difference between Latin and ballroom until yesterday."
Judges and viewers react
There was little sign of uncertainty when Delta and Kai closed Saturday's show, even after a two-hour wait to perform. Judges Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas both gave the pair a standing ovation. Judge Craig Revel Horwood had few words for the star, simply saying: "Wow, darling. You are one to watch. End of."
Another fan on X, apparently unaware of her childhood lessons, wrote: "Just did some research and apparently Delta has no dance training so that was even more impressive whewwww." For others, the routine was simply a welcome surprise. One said: "I'm not gonna lie when I first heard Delta was on the show I didn't really think she'd be good, but f*** me she slayed that Samba and woke up all of the ancestors while doing it!"
Another viewer summed up their verdict: "The level of dancing for week one is actually very high. Most couples were really good. Delta shocked me, she was brilliant." A final viewer joked: "Delta is one of those people that is great at everything! Hope she’s bad at excel or something #Strictly". Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One on Saturday at 6.15pm.
