She opened the much-anticipated fifteenth season of Strictly Come Dancing with an emotional tribute to former co-star Bruce Forsyth.
And Tess Daly put on a confident display as she opened the second live show of the series on Saturday, dressed in a strapless nude jumpsuit which made the most of her statuesque physique.
Wearing her glossy blonde hair in tumbling waves, the 48-year-old presenter was joined by Claudia Winkleman, 45, who sizzled in a black bardot dress.
Turning heads: Tess Daly opened the second live show of the series on Saturday, dressed in a strapless nude jumpsuit which made the most of her statuesque physique
Aston Merrigold and Ruth Langsford began the show in the lead, topping the board with the leading scores following last week’s first live show.
Opening the show with a touch of comedy was Holby City actress Chizzy Akudolu, 43, and Pasha will perform the Foxtrot to I’m a Woman from Smokey Joe’s Cafe.
Dressed in a plunging purple frock, she started the skit with a fun scene by the breakfast table, before breaking into the Foxtrot to the sound of rapturous cheers from an applauding audience.
But Shirley Ballas didn’t agree, calling her performance disappointing and too ‘lumpy for her taste’.
Stunning duo: Wearing her glossy blonde hair in tumbling waves, the 48-year-old presenter was joined by Claudia Winkleman, 45, who sizzled in a black bardot dress
‘I want more sophistication,’ Shirley added, but Chizzy quipped back: ‘I’m not a Rolls Royce, too expensive’.
‘Too sassy too soon’, Bruno Tonioli added, putting the disappointed dancer firmly in her place.
Pulling no punches, a stern Craig Revel Horwood added ‘more Foxtrott and less musical theatre.’
Darcey was kinder, gushing: ‘I don’t want to cut any of that enthusiasm’, applauding her performance value.
‘Sorry to all the black woman around the world’, Chizzy laughed, ‘I just have to do this’, she added before adjusting her wig.
Tense: Saturday marked the first show open to the vote, with eliminations taking place on Sunday
The performance won the couple a score of 16 and added to last week’s score making an overall score of 37.
Next was JLS star Aston Merrygold, 29, Aston Merrygold and Janette who gave a colourful Salsa to Despacito (Remix) by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee ft Justin Bieber.
Unfortunately Janette suffered a little tumble on her head, but she styled it out quickly and Bruno appeared impressed with their performance.
‘I’ve never seen such a difficult sequence of lifts’, he gushed, impressed.
The thrilled judges won them an impressive score and the duo were thrilled with the results.
Scottish museum Susan Calman, 42, and Kevin won an impressive basic score of 32 with their hit performance of a Charleston to If You Knew Susie by Enoch Light and The Charleston City All-Stars.
Confident: Gemma Atkinson looked in good spirits as she headed to the Elstree studios ahead of Saturday’s show
Next up was ITV presenter Charlotte Hawkins, 42, and Brendan will Cha Cha to Sugar by Maroon 5.
Charlotte stunned in a glitzy plunging silver mini dress, showing off her shapely pins and enviable curves.
But her performance failed to impress the judges after they accused her of losing her rhythm early on.
‘To flirt on live TV is not an easy thing and you recovered well from you losing your timing’, Darcey said, ‘but you’ll come back stronger’.
And Craig branded the piece ‘a dance disaster’ with the duo scored a more modest basic score of 12.
‘You did brilliantly last week and your score will be added to that 12 so don’t despair’, Claudia told the couple optimistically.
Cranford star Joe McFadden, 41, and Katya were up next, dancing the Tango to Castle On The Hill by Ed Sheeran.
Katya stunned in a plunging blue floor-length dress, performing to a clapping crowd.
Their dance got a lukewarm reaction from the panel
Saturday’s show will also see ex Hollyoaks star Gemma Atkinson, 32, and dance partner Aljaz Waltzing to an Italian version of A Time For Us by Josh Groban.
Songstress Alexandra Burke, 29, and dance partner Gorka will perform a Paso Doble to On The Floor by Jennifer Lopez.
Late magician Paul Daniel’s widow Debbie McGee, 58, and Giovanni will perform a Viennese Waltz to She’s Always A Woman by Billy Joel.
Saturdays star Mollie King, 30, and AJ will Tango to Addicted To Love by Tina Turner, and presenter Ruth Langsford, 57, and Anton will perform a Charleston to ‘The Charleston’ by Bob Wilson and his Varsity Rhythm Boys.
Comedian Brian Conley, 53, and Amy will Cha Cha to Shake Your Groove Thing by Peaches and Herb.
Speeding up the tempo is Eastenders star Davood Ghadami, 36, who will perform a Quickstep to Last Nite by The Strokes with Nadiya.
Sprint runner Jonnie Peacock, 34, and Oti will Jive to Johnny B Goode by Chuck Berry while Rev. Richard Coles, 55, and Dianne perform an American Smooth to Love Really Hurts Without You by Billy Ocean.
Judging panel: Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli
Last but not least is TV chef Simon Rimmer, 54, and Karen who will Waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone by Rodgers and Hammerstein.
The fifteenth series show kicked off on the 10th September, revealing the hotly-anticipated pairings, with the newly shaken-up judging panel headed up by Shirley Bassas after Len Goodman retired earlier this year.
She joins the traditional Strictly judging panel, which consists of Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussell.
As well as pairings, the show also featured a touching tribute to he late Sir Bruce Forsyth, who hosted the show from its 2004 until bowing out in 2013.
Tess Daly, who hosted the show alongside Sir Bruce, broke down in tears as she lead a special dedication to the beloved entertainer.
She is joined by Claudia Winkleman, with the duo replacing the former replacing the former presenting trio.
The second live show- and first live vote off with the results being shown on Sunday, took place tonight.
Eager: Die-hard Strictly fans camped out overnight to get tickets to the coveted show
The first live show last week got off to a controversial start, after Bruno Tonioli outraged fans when he appeared to cup Shirley Ballas’ breast.
According to The Sun Strictly Come Dancing bosses have reportedly been hit by a barrage of complaints from fans about the incident and are said to be investigating after around 20 people objected.
A source told the website that although Bruno’s behaviour was meant to be ‘harmless’ viewers did not feel the same.
They said: ‘The BBC has now received formal complaints and will be officially looking into them to decide whether Bruno’s behaviour was acceptable.
‘He obviously thought it was light-hearted fun, but you could tell Tess was shocked by her reaction. She looked completely aghast.
‘Bruno is obviously a larger-than- life sort of character but a number of viewers felt that touching a woman’s chest like that even in jest sends out the wrong message.
The BBC declined to comment when approached by Mail Online.