It’s back. The BBC’s flagship dance competition series, Strictly Come Dancing, has returned to screens for its 21st series.
The programme has lined up an enviable roster of celebrity guests for the new series, which premiered on BBC One at 6.35pm on Saturday (23 September).
Episodes will continue to air every Saturday, with the acompannying results show airing the following evening.
Among the contestants this year are reality star Zara McDermott and veteran Channel 4 broadcaster Krishnan Guru-Murthy, as well as TV presenter Les Dennis.
You can find the full line-up for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing here.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are returning to present the series, while the judging panel comprises Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas.
Here are the biggest talking points from the first competitive episode of Strictly 2023.
Angela Rippon makes history
The 78-year-old presenter became the oldest contestant to feature on Strictly in this week’s episode... and she certainly didn’t disappoint. Dancing the Cha Cha Cha to “Get the Party Started” by Shirley Bassey with partner Kai Widdrington, Rippon stunned the judges with her flair, defying the years with a fleet-footed performance that Revel Horwood aptly termed “jaw-dropping”.
Bobby Brazier draws tears from his father
Soap actor Brazier was another of the night’s clear highlights, performing an absolutely magnetic foxtrot to McFly with partner Dianne Buswell. The son of the late reality star Jade Goody and TV presenter Jeff Brazier drew high praise from the judging panel, and was seen moving his father to tears, in an affecting emotional moment.
Les Dennis brings the levity
Family Fortunes star Dennis may have finished the night at the bottom of the leaderboard, but it was a performance that stood out for its initmitable sense of fun. Dennis mugged his way through “Don’t You Want Me” by the Human League, with a tango that managed to transcend any technical stiffness on show. Some might see him as the novelty act of the 2023 series, but it’s clear Dennis is trying his best – and the warm comments from the judging panel show that his efforts didn’t go unnoticed.
You can follow along with the first live episode of Strictly Come Dancing 2023 with The Independent’s liveblog below...
