The first live Strictly Come Dancing show of the series saw celebrity scores range from 15 to 31, with some contestants looking like seasoned performers while others struggled with the unfamiliar challenge. The same could be said for the new presenting team, according to an audience member at Elstree.
A Night of Nerves in the Studio
During the recording, the only moments of relaxation came when seasoned TV presenter Emma Willis was speaking. When comedian Josh Widdicombe or former pro dancer Johannes Radebe took over, the audience seemed to hold its breath. At one point, the warm-up guy urged everyone to clap and cheer louder because the crowd wasn't making enough noise, reflecting the palpable tension in the room.
The nerves are expected to ease as the presenters settle in, but the question remains: why are there three hosts? The producers may have made the job harder, as one might always feel like a spare part. Emma, who has adapted quickly, doesn't appear to need assistance. Johannes, a dancer no longer dancing, tried his best in the as-yet-unnamed former Clauditorium, but his first lesson should be to stop talking to the camera while celebrities and their pros are climbing the stairs, as the cheering drowns out his words. He also repeated the question 'who is dancing next?' multiple times. Josh's funniest moments come when he ad-libs with quick wit while talking to the judges, as the autocue is not his strength.
Standout Performances and Surprises
The standard of dancing was impressive for week one. The turning point came with Lacey Turner's sensational cha-cha-cha, which earned the first standing ovation of the night. It seemed to ease the tension and set the stage for higher scores in the second half, even helping the presenters relax.
The best surprise was football influencer John Nellis, who drew gasps with his stunning foxtrot to Ordinary by Alex Warren, partnered with Katya Jones. A few weeks ago, few had heard of him; this morning, he is the odds-on favourite to lift the glitterball. Also notable were the moves of ex-Love Islander Cache Mercer, whose dance wasn't a traditional quickstep but was brilliant to watch with new pro Maddie. Judge Craig Revel Horwood's staggered face after dog trainer Graeme Hall pulled off an impressive cha-cha-cha was another highlight, as was Delta Goodrem's staggeringly good samba to close the show.
Judges' Verdicts and Audience Reactions
Craig was on classic form, criticising the performances with little allowance for the series opener. The booing was deafening, but he seemed to enjoy it, continuing with what he calls constructive criticism. The celebrities took it on the chin, including the lowest-scoring contestants: Melanie Walters, Shaun Wright-Phillips, and Dame Sarah Storey, who all appeared cheerful at the end as they mingled with friends, family, and other contestants.
As the audience filed out, some said they'd like to see Josh have a go at 'being Claudia', where his comedy skills would surely shine. The show looks forward to week two.
