And that’s the end of the first Strictly live show! Lovely to be back in the swing of things, and thank you all for joining in – am off to read your comments and rest my tired fingers.
No results show tomorrow, so I’ll be back next Saturday for Week Two, and don’t forget Rhik’s GBBO liveblog on Tuesday if that’s your slice of lemon drizzle. In the meantime you can find me on Twitter @heidistephens, so do come and say hello and share your prediction for this year’s glitterball winner based on very limited evidence. See you next Saturday! Hx
Leaderboard time! It’s quite busy at the top and the bottom, with a few in the potential journey slot in the middle. Going to be an interesting series, I think.
Scores: 6,6,5,6 - a total of 23 for Emma and Anton.
Craig thought it was a bit laboured, not helped by how quick the dance was. Motsi loved Emma’s posture, but it was a bit unbalanced in places. Shirley thought it was too heavy and the posture wasn’t right for Jive, but otherwise quite nice. Bruno agrees there were a few issues, but a wonderful crowd-pleasing performance.
This has a random supermarket theme, and Emma is actually wearing a Dinnerladies tabard. She has ridiculously long legs, and for the most part they are kicking and flicking in the right direction. It’s a bit stompy in places and tentative in others, but nice work with Anton in hold. A good finish to a great season opener.
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And finally it’s EMMA B AND ANTON! They’re kicking off the season with a Jive to ‘Honey Honey’ by ABBA, because Emma used to play a character called Honey in Eastenders, so DRINK. In fact, drink everything you can find because I’m not ready for an Anton Jive as the grand finale.
Scores: 8,8,7,8 - a total of 31 for Karim and Amy.
Bruno thought it was a tour de force of a performance, and Craig loved it even though there a lot of steps that didn’t belong in the Cha Cha Cha. Motsi thought it was SO GOOD, and Shirley loved the timing, personality, musicality – all great for Week One.
Karim is washing cars in Anneka’s boiler suit, and has plenty of moves – good hip action, and great timing. All the club moves and moonwalking make it a bit soft for a Cha Cha Cha, but Karim can clearly dance and is going to give us plenty of entertainment over the coming weeks. NICE.
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Two to go! Stick with me, people. It’s time for KARIN AND AMY! Their opening week dance is the Cha Cha Cha to ‘If I Can’t Have You’ by Shawn Mendes. It’s a perfect pop banger for the CBBC audience, and also the 40-something livebloggers who love a bit of Shawn Mendes.
Karim showed some promising moves in the launch show a couple of weeks ago, so he’s definitely a tip for the final. Also he’s 19, which means he can maintain perky showbiz energy long after the rest of us have gone to bed with a peppermint tea.
Scores: 5,7,7,7, - a total of 26 for Will and Janette.
Shirley thought it was off the chart - great energy and a magnificent performance. Bruno thought Will’s love of performance was clear, and the hard work paid off. Craig thought it was a bit frenetic, but he loved how they told the story. Motsi loved how Will gave energy a new definition.
Love the personality and energy in this Quickstep – clear to see how hard Will has worked in training. This timing is pretty good and he and Janette make a great couple - a bit lacking control, but a great effort and looking forward to seeing more from these two.
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It’s time for WILL AND JANETTE! Their first dance is the Quickstep to ‘Pencil Full of Lead’ by Paolo Nutini. This is usually a Charleston song, interested to see how it works as a Quickstep. I’ve got high hopes for these two - looking forward to this.
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Scores: 3,4,3,4 - a total of 14 for Anneka and Kevin.
Motsi loved how fearless Anneka was – she rocked that floor. Shirley thought it was very good for a non-dancer, but it needs time and work. Bruno thought there were a few wrong turns, but Anneka made it to the end. Craig thought it was flat-footed and stiff, but he thinks Anneka is secretly better than she’s making out. SURE.
It seems a bit harsh to make Anneka dance in a velour boiler suit in Week One, even if it does have a Treasure Hunt theme – drink in solidarity. Kevin is trying to act again, but thankfully Anneka soon gets off the ladder and puts him out of his misery. It feels a bit like an 80s breakfast TV workout, but I’m enjoying the Dave Arch singers changing ‘Gloria’ for ‘Anneka’. FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS STRICTLY, STOP THE CLOCK.
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Next up it’s ANNEKA AND KEVIN! Their first dance is the Cha Cha Cha to ‘Gloria’ by Laura Branigan. I love that they’ve gone full 80s disco in Week One, it suggests that Anneka has no hoots to give and Kevin is expecting to be long gone by Halloween. I hope not, Anneka is one of the three I know.
Scores: 7,7,8,8 - a total of 30 for Dev and Dianne.
Craig thought it was elegant and graceful, and Motsi agrees – Dev made that look like a Sunday stroll with icecream in his hand. Shirley loved the musicality – the best ballroom footwork this evening. Bruno loved the quality and ease, tonight has been one surprise after another.
Dev’s in a DJ booth! DRINK! This Foxtrot is joyously nerdy and I love it – the footwork is actually pretty decent and they make a really nice couple. Dev’s arms all go a bit awry out of hold but I’m charmed nonetheless.
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It’s time for DEV AND DIANNE! Their first dance is the Foxtrot to ‘Build Me Up Buttercup’ by The Foundations. I can’t find any oblique DJ references here, but drink anyway because this is now a cheesy wedding with a free bar.
Scores: 8,8,7,7 - a total of 30 for Michelle and Giovanni.
Bruno thought it was clear, crisp and in focus – Michelle was absolutely selling it. Craig loved it, and Motsi loved the details, and ‘I loved mamma’. Shirley thought it had sass and elegance, and Michelle is going to eat Giovanni for lunch. OKAY.
Michelle looks all kind of fierce and is giving it plenty of sass. Nice hip action, good control and bags of attitude – this is all I ask from a Cha Cha Cha and Michell is not disappointing. The timing all gets a bit wild towards the end but a great effort for Week One – LOVED that.
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Next up it’s MICHELLE AND GIOVANNI! Their opening dance is a Cha Cha Cha to ‘So Emotional’ by Whitney Houston. The tabloids are already implying there is tension between these two, most likely in the absence of anything else to talk about. I love them both and really want this partnership to work. Also WHITNEY. What’s not to love?
Scores: 3,4,5,5 - a total of 17 for David and Nadiya. Wait, didn’t Alex get 5s at the beginning of the show (several days ago) for being quite a lot better than that? As usual, the wheels are falling off the scoring half way through.
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Shirley points out that David is TALL (drink) and has great potential. Bruno was surprised that it wasn’t a disaster, it was quite graceful and a proper Foxtrot. Craig wanted it to be a lot smoother and David went wrong in the middle, whilst Motsi wants David to find the harmony between his expression and his body – his dancing wasn’t bad, but it needs to be more entertaining.
Gutted they didn’t give Three Lions to Emma W. and Aljaz. It could have had a safari park theme. Three lions in my park/monkeys on my windscreen/Thirty pounds for lunch/not including ice cream.
Out comes David and Nadiya, in the worst outfits Strictly has seen in a while. They dance about awkwardly in a football goal, and whilst David’s timing isn’t bad, his footwork is sloppy and his giant hands appear to have a life of their own. But he caught the ball at the end, so that’s something. A solid beginner effort for week one.
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Time for DAVID AND NADIYA! Their first dance is a Foxtrot to ‘Three Lions’ by Baddiel, Skinner and Lightning Seeds, because apparently oblique career references have now been replaced by being kicked in the ears with a 23-year-old football. DRINK.
“We still have seven couples left to perform”, says Claudia. Oh dear god.
Scores: 8,8,8,8 - a total of 32. Gosh.
Motsi has lost it over the booty pumping, she loved Kelvin’s body line and hip action – so fun to watch. Shirley thought it was electrifying, and Kelvin was very much in touch with his feminine side – outstanding. Bruno needs his smelling salts – there was a chain reaction of hot flushes in the studio, and it was the best Samba he’s seen on a debut show. Craig was bothered by Kelvin’s hands, but it was amazing. Who was looking at his hands?
Kelvin has sensibly kept his shirt on, in case he needs to take it off later on. It turns on that Kelvin has got hip action for DAYS and great timing. Loads of shimmy, bags of confidence, lots of authentic Samba moves. Those trousers are so tight they should be illegal, but really enjoyed that.
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Next up it’s KELVIN AND OTI! Their opening dance is the Samba to ‘La Vida Es Un Carnaval’ by Celia Cruz. A week one Samba is quite a gutsy move, requiring Kelvin to unleash his hip action before people like me have got over him being that spotty kid in Emmerdale when I last watched 20 years ago.
This could be incredible, or truly horrible. Or so horrible it’s incredible. The Samba spectrum is broad.
Scores: 2,3,3,3 - a total of 11 for James and Luba.
Craig thought James’ posture was bad – he was hunched over and his bottom was sticking out. Mostly it lacked everything. Motsi thought James was quite closed, he needs to open up and be more involved. Shirley agrees that it needs some work, but he didn’t make any mistakes and probably inspired lots of men at home. Bruno thought it was VERY HARD FOR A MAN DRINK DRINK DRINK.
Well Luba looks lovely, and James has a very nice suit on. But as Tango, it’s a bit constipated. He look like an undertaker, and no amount of Luba spinning about can disguise his horrible posture. I’m a sucker for a complete non-dancer with no natural talent so I declare this amazing.
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Who’s next? It’s JAMES AND LUBA! They’re dancing the Tango to ‘Gold’ by Spandau Ballet, presumably because James won gold for the rowing thing (DRINK). He is very tall, and I fully expect one of the judges to mention it in passing.
Scores: 5,5,4,5 - a total of 19 for Emma and Aljaz.
Bruno thought Emma was underperforming in places which impacted her foot placement, but great potential. Craig agrees – needed more work in the legs and feet, but Emma has great rhythm. Motsi liked the ladylike feeling – it was really sexy but needed to be spiced up a bit. Shirley thought Emma looked stunning and her style is infectious, but needs more work on the technical skills.
Emma is wearing a large hat, to indicate she’s a lady. Also café table – DRINK. Emma looks amazing but dancing is definitely not her forte – a bit tentative in places and wild in others. They look great together and Emma is clearly game, so hopefully Aljaz can bring out her inner dancefloor queen.
Incidentally, the lyrics to this song should be sealed in a lead box and buried in the 1970s. “She’s the kind they’d like to flaunt and take to dinner/But she always knows her place”. At the bar, Tom, paying for my own drinks and wondering when this dinner will end.
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Next up it’s EMMA AND ALJAZ! Their first dance is a Cha Cha Cha to ‘She’s a Lady’ by Tom Jones. I mean technically she’s a Viscountess, but that doesn’t really scan, so DRINK.
In their VT, Emma takes AJ Aljaz for a tour round Longleat. It’s not far from where I live, so I’ve been lots of times. The addition of Aljaz to the safari park would definitely be an attraction.
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Scores: 4,6,6,6 - a total of 22 for Mike and Katya.
Shirley loved some of the footwork and it was delightful. Bruno thought it was mad but he loved it, and there were some recognisable Jive steps in there. Craig thought Mike was like an overwound tin toy, but his footwork needs some work. Motsi was entertained in a very strange way, and she enjoyed it from beginning to end.
I refuse to use the phrase ‘dad dancing’ as that would be unfair to every dad who ever graced a dancefloor. Mike is giving this both barrels but he’s definitely this year’s comedy turn – Katya has decided (possibly 10 minutes into first rehearsal) to make Mike the new Ed Balls. He’s definitely got rhythm and some of the footwork is actually pretty decent, so not all is lost.
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Oh lord, we’re only five couples down. Time for MIKE AND KATYA! Their first dance is the Jive to ‘Do You Love Me’ by The Contours. It’s quite a big question for Katya to ask this early on, but probably best to get these things out in the open so there’s no confusion later.
Scores: 6,7,7,7 - a total of 27 for Saffron and AJ. Top of the leaderboard!
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Motsi loved it, as did Shirley – it was fabulous and Bruno can’t wait for next week. Craig thought it was a bit Paso in the middle but great energy.
Yep, there’s Saffron on her phone, so tired already. It’s quite fast for a Tango, and the music isn’t really working for me. Footwork is great but Saffron’s frame is a bit loose - incredible energy though, Saffron is NOT here to play. Meanwhile AJ is dressed like he’s just fallen off his roadbike after getting his hair caught in the spokes.
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Anyway, enough of my moaning - next up it’s SAFFRON AND AJ! Their first dance is the Tango to ‘Lips Are Moving’ by Meghan Trainor, which is a good song choice for the yoof fanbase. Also she talks about stuff on YouTube for a living, so DRINK.
Last year Joe and Dianne did a social media-themed opening dance – the big* question is, will Saffron do the same?
*ok, medium-sized.
God this VT makes me feel old.
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Is it just me, or is everyone doing different dances make it incredibly hard to compare and score properly? I miss the days when they all used to do either a Waltz or a Cha Cha. This mishmash feels a bit ridiculous.
Scores: 5,5,5,5 - a total of 20 for Catherine and Johannes.
Craig thought the transitions were a bit bumpy and Catherine’s head was a little high, but great potential. Motsi loved the atmosphere but Catherine needs to work on it looking a little more graceful. Shirley loved the choreography, and Catherine is going to be a force to be reckoned with. Bruno thought it started light and breezy, but it got a bit grippy and hoppy later on.
Catherine and Johannes are on a hippy picnic, and I’m already highly invested in this adorable couple. This is confident effort from Catherine – a bit rough in the footwork here and there but a decent top line for Week One. Nice work.
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It’s time for CATHERINE AND JOHANNES! Their first dance is the Viennese Waltz to ‘I Got You Babe’ by Sonny and Cher. Oooh, a Johannes Viennesse in Week One – Strictly, you are already spoiling us.
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Scores: 3,4,3,3 - a total of 13 for Chris and Karen. Boo all you like, that was fair enough. The only way is up, right?
Bruno thought it lacked timing and rhythm, but it had good entertainment value. Craig thought it was awkward and there was no hip action in sight, but somewhere deep down Chris has some rhythm. Motsi loved how Chris’s face was having fun, but it needed more of that in the body. Shirley thought it had attitude and the partnership has great chemistry – with hard work anything is possible.
Chris’s shirt is quite alarming, but it’s a good distraction from his horrible footwork. It’s all quite stompy and there’s no timing or hip action to speak of, but it’s got bags of Saturday sass and that’s all I’m here for. Enjoyed that, don’t @ me.
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Next up it’s CHRIS AND KAREN! Their first dance is the Cha Cha Cha to ‘Juice’ by Lizzo – I salute Strictly for getting a Lizzo banger out so early on.
Hope Chris is OK, because I’ve heard that the Cha Cha Cha is a particularly difficult dance for a man.
Scores: 5,5,5,6 - a total of 21 for Alex and Neil
Shirley thought it was amazing choreography, and a decent effort despite a few footwork and frame issues. Bruno thought Alex has amazing potential, although she could have covered her mistakes better. Craig wanted cleaner footwork and the timing was out here and there. Motsi thought Alex started out a little shy, but warmed up - needs work on the presentation, but Alex is ‘dangerous’ (I think in a good way).
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Café table! DRINK! Alex absolutely looks the part, and this is really not a bad Quickstep. Her shoulders are a little high but her footwork is (mostly) OK and her timing is (mostly) decent. Good effort for Week One, and lots of potential for these two.
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Right, let’s get on with some dancing. First up tonight is ALEX AND NEIL! Their opening dance is a Quickstep to ‘I Get a Kick Out of You’ by Frank Sinatra, because football, see? DRINK.
Am assuming that Neil getting a partner this year is his reward for retaining some level of dignity over the Pub Alley Paso last year – right now, this feels like a partnership that could go all the way to the final. We’ll see.
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Out come the stars! Anneka has revived her 80s boiler suit, which is an early punishment from Wardrobe.
Loving Shirley in a wedding dress and Motsi in black sparkly wings. I already have the biggest girl crush.
TESS AND CLAUDIA DRESS WATCH: Tess in a scarlet pantsuit with boob studding, Claudia in black with one shoulder. Neither appear to fit very well, so it’s a strong start to the new season.
This is very glittery opening pro dance, and I’m very much OK with this. Unleash the bacofoil and tatty yellow fringing, Strictly is BACK.
And we’re off! The opening sequence features lots of young people checking out Strictly on social media, because it’s 2019 and if it’s not on Instagram it didn’t happen.
First look at the credit sequence – who’s going to annoy me this year with a cheesy thumbs aloft? Anneka making a break for it is a contender, but Will and Karen have the awkward fist bump so they’re off my Christmas list.
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Loving the promo for RuPaul’s UK Drag Race. Can I liveblog that too?
It’s time for the first proper Strictly Come Bingo of the year – take a swig of that rancid spirit you bought back from holiday for every occurrence of the following:
- Song choice/staging that awkwardly references the celebrity’s career
- Mentions of tallness
- Any dance being difficult for a man
- A gap of 4 or more points between Craig and Bruno’s scores.
- Early sightings of the Strictly café tables/lamppost
STRICTLY’S BACK!
Evening all, and welcome back to another year of the Strictly Come Dancing liveblog! I’m back from my relaxing break to Spain (worst storms in 40 years, flooding, high winds, broken corkscrew), and I’m now ready to reject all further weekend invitations in favour of 12 weeks of sparkle-fuelled, sofa-based Strictly action.
Tonight we’ll see all 15 couples dance for the very first time, but with no public voting and nobody going home. However it’s still worth our couples ‘coming out and giving it their all’ (drink) as the judges’ scores carry over to next week.
The liveblog format is splendidly simple: I’ll follow all the dancefloor action up here, minute by minute, whilst you are cordially invited to add an extra sprinkling of glitz and sparkle down below. If you’re a long-time lurker, please feel free to say hello and get involved. If you’re liveblog glitterati, a warm welcome back for another year. If you have furious opinions about the Guardian providing commentary on a TV show you don’t personally care for, please move along; that ship sailed a decade ago and we’ve bought wine and snacks and everything.
All the action kicks off at 7pm; according to the BBC website, tonight’s show is an oddly specific 2 hours and 17 minutes long, so buckle up your dancing shoes for a marathon. See you at 7!
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