Strictly Come Dancing 2021 kicked off its first live show on Saturday, with all 15 couples taking to the floor for the first time amid a flurry of scrutiny around the show’s unvaccinated pros.
In an action-packed opener, the pairs got their first chance to impress the judges, including newcomer Anton Du Beke, with an array of energetic routines.
The show’s broadcast came amid claims of ‘upset’ behind the scenes after it was reported three of the show’s professional dancers, one of which has been paired with a celebrity, had refused the Covid vaccine, casting doubt on the show’s stringent safety measures.
It’s here! Strictly Come Dancing 2021 kicked off its first live show on Saturday, with all 15 couples taking to the floor for the first time amid a flurry of scrutiny around the show’s unvaccinated pros
Among the highlights were Rose Ayling- Ellis, who made history as the show’s first ever deaf contestant, when she took to the floor with a Jive to Taylor Swift’s Take It Off.
Despite admitting she disliked the energetic dance, which she learned with the help of an interpretor, Rose was praised for being ‘full of personality’ and having ‘very good’ feet, and they earned 22 points out of 40.
Anton said: ‘I find feet v difficult, I thought this was the most fun I’ve had watching a dance for a long time, you dance solo beautifully, you take that enthusiasam with that partner a full performance well done.’
Happy: Among the highlights were Rose Ayling- Ellis, who made history as the show’s first ever deaf contestant, when she took to the floor with a Jive to Taylor Swift’s Take It Off
‘Full of personality’: Despite admitting she disliked the energetic dance, which she learned with the help of an interpretor, Rose was praised for being ‘full of personality’ and having ‘very good’ feet
Katie McGlynn and Gorka Marquez delivered a fiery Tango to Black Hole by Griff, with the judges complimenting the actress for adding drama to the routine, earning 22 points out of 40.
Robert Webb and Dianne Buswell also brought entertainment to the show with their fun-filled Cha Cha to Rasputin by Boney M, with Shirley joking it was a ‘trip down memory lane’ with their 70s-inspired dance set at the Moscow Latina Dance Championship.
Noting it was akin to some of his most iconic moments, Anton said: ‘This whole thing feels very familiar to me, this sort of thing is right up my street so I really enjoyed it, Shirley is right there’s a few things that need a lot of work, but generally I rather enjoyed it.’
Shirley added: ‘You definitely have the gift of entertaining, the costuming did remind me of 1976, thank you for a trip down memory lane, entertaining but definitely needs a lot of work, the foot action needs a lot of work for me.’
Sizzling: Katie McGlynn and Gorka Marquez delivered a fiery Tango to Black Hole by Griff, with the judges complimenting the actress for adding drama to the routine, earning 22 points out of 40
‘Crowd-pleaser!’ Robert Webb and Dianne Buswell also brought entertainment to the show with their fun-filled Cha Cha to Rasputin by Boney M, with Shirley joking it was a ‘trip down memory lane’ with their 70s-inspired dance
Amusing: Noting it was akin to some of his most iconic moments, Anton said: ‘This whole thing feels very familiar to me, this sort of thing is right up my street so I really enjoyed it,’ and they earned 20 points out of 40
Proud: The actor’s wife EmmaThompson and their daughter Gaiai proudly cheered him on from the audience
With his wife Emma Thompson cheering him on in the audience, Greg Wise and Karen Hauer oozed Old Hollywood with an American Smooth to That’s Life by Frank Sinatra.
Anton praised: ‘This was a dance that made me miss going on the floor, I’d give you 45 points on my own if you could,’ while Shirley noted that he needed to work on ‘the fundamentals.’
Craig also complemented: ‘The Viennese waltz section left a lot to be desired but out of hold thoroughly thoroughly engaging,’ and the duo earned 24 points out of 40.
Tom Fletcher and Amy Dowden were the first to take the dancefloor with an energetic Cha Cha to September by Earth, Wind & Fire, after squeezing rehearsals and training around the singer’s nationwide tour with McFly.
Setting the bar high, he was praised by the panel, who said he was ‘going to go far’ if he could improve his leg and foot action, and earned a score of 21 out of 40.
Making his debut as an official judge on the panel for the first time, Anton said: ‘All I can say is if touring isn’t enough, why don’t you come along and do strictly in the evenings, I thought it was a fabulous performance.
‘They say dancing starts from the ground up and your leg action was good, strengthn up your foot and leg action and I think that will see you all the way through.’
So many moves! Tom Fletcher and Amy Dowden were the first to take the dancefloor with an energetic Cha Cha to September by Earth, Wind & Fire, after squeezing rehearsals and training around the singer’s nationwide tour with McFly
Up next was Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin, making his debut on the show, and they performed an elegant waltz to Consequences by Camila Cabello that left her proud mum Tana in tears.
While the budding chef got off to a ‘good start’ with her dance, the judges noted she needed to work on her frame, earning a score of 21 out of 40.
Shirley noted: ‘I also enjoyed the beginning, I enjoyed the very small details, it was poised it was extremely mature, as with the footwork I don’t know if you’re looking at the same thing as I’m looking at and I thought you did a majority of the heel correctly. A job well done!’
Gorgeous: Up next was Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin, making his debut on the show, and they performed an elegant waltz to Consequences by Camila Cabello that left her proud mum Tana in tears
Progress: While the budding chef got off to a ‘good start’ with her dance, the judges noted she needed to work on her frame, earning a score of 21 out of 40
Sensational: Ugo Monye and Oti Mabuse were tasked with one of the show’s trickier dances, delivering a Samba to Iko Iko (My Bestie) by Justin Wellington ft Small Jam, which earned them a respectable score of 18 points
Touching: The former rugby star also revealed he’d taken to the floor just hours after attending his father’s funeral after he passed away following a battle with prostate cancer
Ugo Monye and Oti Mabuse were tasked with one of the show’s trickier dances, delivering a Samba to Iko Iko (My Bestie) by Justin Wellington ft Small Jam, which earned them a respectable score of 18 points.
Motsi said: ‘Ugo I was watching your face and I was confused because you went from looking afraidd of missing the steps to being so enthusiastic about getting it right but all these african samba parts they were really really well done.’
The former rugby star also revealed he’d taken to the floor just hours after attending his father’s funeral after he passed away following a battle with prostate cancer, telling host Claudia Winkleman he wanted it to be a ‘day of celebration’ with his fast-paced performance.
Rhys Stephenson and Nancy Xu brought a touch of elegance by dancing a Viennese Waltz to End Of The Road by Boys II Men, and the pair couldn’t contain their excitement after they completed the dance unhinged.
Craig praised: ‘It was a bit frantic for me but I have to say your frame was completelylovely throughout,’ while Shirley branded him a ‘talent to watch,’ earning them 27 points out of 40.
On the up: Rhys Stephenson and Nancy Xu brought a touch of elegance by dancing a Viennese Waltz to End Of The Road by Boys II Men, and the pair couldn’t contain their excitement after they completed the dance unhinged
Up next were Sara Davies and Alijaz Skorjanec with a fun-filled Cha Cha to the aptly-named The Boss by Diana Ross.
The pair earned a mixed reaction, with Anton noting: ‘What I did love is that you came out with a huge personality, when you started from that seat you started alone and were absolutely on time, you’ve got a good ear for timing.’
Craig added: ‘You need to double your energy, the time step was out of time as well. I would just suggest throw caution to the wing darling and let it go next time,’ with the pair earning 17 points out of 40.
Dan Walker and Nadiya Bychkova took to the floor with a Quickstep to one of the Breakfast host’s favourite songs, Everybody Needs Somebody To Love by the Blues Brothers.
Despite the judges’ open admittance they did not have high hopes, Dan was praised for giving the dance his absolute best, and he later revealed he’d dedicated the routine to his former co-host Louise Minchin, after she departed Breakfast last week.
Progress: Up next were Sara Davies and Alijaz Skorjanec with a fun-filled Cha Cha to the aptly-named The Boss by Diana Ross, which earned them a solid score of 17 points out of 40
Fast-paced: Dan Walker and Nadiya Bychkova took to the floor with a Quickstep to one of the Breakfast host’s favourite songs, Everybody Needs Somebody To Love by the Blues Brothers
Sweet: Despite the judges’ open admittance they did not have high hopes, Dan was praised for giving the dance his absolute best, and he later revealed he’d dedicated the routine to his former co-host Louise Minchin
Anton said: ‘I have to be honest I was a bit nervous about this I thought you were going to be awful but you were terrific.
‘I love your energy you covered the floor brilliantly, I just want you to work on your arms, your arm line has got to be carried a bit more forward, just hold her a bit further away, but otherwise tremendous.’
Dan was then treated to a video message from his former co-host Louise, who said: ‘Hi Dan I canot believe you dedicated your first dance on Strictly to me, I really miss you on the breakfast show, but I’m so excited to watch you every saturday night, thank you good luck and have fun.’
This comes after a representative for the show denied reports that Strictly’s unvaccinated pros are so opposed to receiving the Covid jab, they are willing to quit the show.
Sources claimed that despite others pleading for them to reconsider, the dancers, who have not been named, are steadfast in their decision not to have the jab.
A source told The Sun that BBC bosses did not make it a mandatory requirement for this year’s Strictly stars to be vaccinated, despite similar policies being in place on other channels.
It’s thought that while none of the dancers are being forced to get the jab, their decision has sparked ‘upset’ behind the scenes.
The insider said: ‘The three dancers have made their positions crystal clear — they’d rather quit than have the jab. There is mounting pressure upon them to be vaccinated but they are refusing to budge.
‘Obviously no one could have foreseen the upset it has caused.
‘No one can make the dancers have the jab but some people have asked them to reconsider for the sake of the show. At Strictly they treat each other as a big family. They are normally a unified team and when a few of the team aren’t singing off the same hymn sheet it causes issues.’
Hitting back: This comes after a representative for the show denied reports that Strictly’s unvaccinated pros are so opposed to receiving the Covid jab, they are willing to quit the show (the male dancers are pictured)
It’s thought that the revelation three of the dancers are unvaccinated has sparked concern among the show’s crew, especially those who are required to work in close contact with the couples.
A Strictly spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘This is simply untrue’.
Following reports that one celebrity was furious to learn their professional partner hadn’t been jabbed, former Strictly stars have led calls for the unvaccinated dancers to be dropped from the show.
Even PM Boris has waded in as he said on Wednesday: ‘Everyone should take their jabs and I’m saying that not in a bullying way but just because I think it’s a great thing to do.’
James Jordan, who was a professional on Strictly from 2006 to 2013, slammed the ‘selfish’ dancers who are putting the ‘entire show at risk’ and called on BBC bosses to publicly name them.
Speaking to The Sun, he said: ‘If someone on this show gets this virus and their immune system is really low and they die, it could have been prevented.
Rules: A source said that BBC bosses did not make it a mandatory requirement for this year’s Strictly stars to be vaccinated (the celebrity lineup is pictured)
‘The BBC is publicly funded by taxpayers. There’s over 44million people that are double vaccinated in this country so the BBC has a moral obligation to the country to say to these dancers, ”I’m really sorry, unless you’re going to be double vaccinated you can’t have your position on Strictly”.
‘I don’t believe they should be dancing and putting the whole cast of Strictly in jeopardy.’
James added that BBC bosses should have asked this year’s dancers whether they’d been vaccinated against Covid, and if not they should not be allowed to take part on the show.
It comes following reports that BBC bosses were battling to save Strictly and a furious star told pals: ‘We should have been protected,’ after learning their professional partner hasn’t received the jab.
Comments: Even PM Boris has waded in as he said on Wednesday: ‘Everyone should take their jabs and I’m saying that not in a bullying way but just because I think it’s a great thing to do’
Drama: It comes amid reports that bosses are battling to save the 2021 series after celebrities were furious to learn that three pros had refused the coronavirus vaccine
A source told The Sun the celebrity was previously unaware their professional partner hadn’t been jabbed, and has been stunned by BBC bosses’ failure to secure their safety despite stringent Covid measures.
They said: ‘They just couldn’t believe that their partner would not have had a jab.
‘They thought they’d be protected so to discover their partner hasn’t even had a single jab is very worrying.
‘The couple have already spent tens of hours practising together. Clearly, there is a lot of anger and a lot of questions to be asked.’
Drama: Sources claim one star has told pals: ‘We should have been protected,’ after learning their professional partner hasn’t received the jab
Scary: It comes following reports that it had become well-known among the cast that a third professional dancer had refuse the Covid vaccine (Giovanni Pernice and Oti Mabuse pictured)
It was reported that the revelation a third professional dancer had refused the Covid, had become well-knowI among the Strictly cast, sparking resentment behind the scenes.
The pro, who was not named, does not have to disclose whether they’ve been vaccinated to BBC bosses, because it is a private medical matter.
A source told The Sun: ‘Producers are dreading an outbreak of Covid on the new series, which is a crucial part of the autumn schedule.
‘They are taking every possible precaution to make the set as safe as possible, particularly as the studio audience is returning.’
Scare: The pro does not have to disclose whether they’ve been vaccinated to BBC bosses, because it is a private medical matter (Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez pictured)
A Strictly spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We do not comment on speculation of somebody’s COVID vaccination status.
‘Strictly Come Dancing production has, and will, continue to follow strict government guidelines to ensure the safety of all on the show.’
This year’s Strictly has once again seen stars and their professional dancers required to adhere to strict Covid safety measures, including being tested multiple times a week, and forming bubbles to perform and train safely.
Saturday’s launch show, which was recorded earlier this month, saw this year’s celebrity contestants discover their professional partners, with the 15 couples set to perform in the first live show this weekend.
Worries: On Saturday it was reported that two of the show’s professional dancers had refused to get Covid jabs (Giovanni is pictured getting a Covid test)
On Saturday it was reported that two of the show’s professional dancers had refused to get Covid jabs, ahead of the launch show being broadcast.
The identity of the dancers was not revealed and BBC bosses were said to be fearful that there could be a larger outbreak among those participating in the show.
A source told The Sun that if a ‘proper outbreak’ led to ‘half the cast’ contracting Covid-19, it would be ‘curtains’ for the show.
They added: ‘Strictly already has to jump through hoops just to be able to broadcast. The dancers who won’t get vaccinated have been a topic of conversation among cast and crew for weeks — even before the positive test.
‘There were vocal protests from celebrities that they didn’t want to be paired with them. It’s a headache for bosses but employers cannot force workers to get jabbed.’
Reacting, ex-Strictly contestant Dr Ranj Singh said: ‘I think, you know vaccination is not mandatory, it’s an offer, and I think we should all be playing our part and doing whatever we can to try and keep everybody safe. Not just ourselves but those around us.
‘There may be legitimate reasons for those people to not be able to have the jab and we’ve got to understand that, but I think we’ve all got a part to play to be as safe as possible.
‘And that’s not just about vaccination, that’s about being careful around hand hygiene, trying to distance, wear a mask in enclosed spaces, and all those other things that we should be doing well.’
Worries: The identity of the dancers was not revealed and BBC bosses were said to be fearful that there could be a larger outbreak among those participating in the show
It came just three days after it emerged that one professional dancer has tested positive for Covid-19. The unidentified dancer was forced to isolate for ten days, but their celebrity partner tested negative.
Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse told Good Morning Britain in response to the news of the positive test that ‘it is still a pandemic, we cannot ignore the fact as much as we want our lives back.’
She added: ‘We will all be there and we will all be healthy and all keep on dancing – that’s what I can say.’
Speaking of the two dancers’ refusal to get vaccinated, the source added to The Sun: ‘There were vocal protests from celebrities that they didn’t want to be paired with them.’
Show bosses are reportedly still enforcing Covid-19 bubbles for its professional dancers, despite lockdown restrictions easing.
Wanting to minimise all potential risks, Strictly bosses have requested the show’s dancers all stay at a London hotel in ‘bubbles’, according to The Sun.
Such bubbles were put into practice for last year’s Strictly series amid lockdown, while the show’s professionals have been busy pre-recording group dances ahead of this year’s launch.
As well as forming bubbles ahead of the series, the professional dancers filmed most of their group routines in advance and only a limited number of guests will be allowed in the studio audience.
Last year, Strictly bosses brought bubbles and close contact cohorts into play in order to ensure the safety of the contestants, dancers and crew during filming.
Each dancing couple formed an exclusive support bubble – meaning one half of the bubble was a single adult household living alone and the other could remain with their household, allowing them to have close contact with one another.
Close contact cohorts were also introduced and work similarly to support bubbles, but included regular and routine testing for coronavirus. Each couple was put into a close contact cohort and could not form a cohort with anyone else during the competition.
Despite the measures in place, Covid still wreaked havoc with the series, as same-sex couple Katya Jones and Nicola Adams were forced to leave the competition, after Katya tested positive for the virus.
Concerns: It came just three days after it emerged that one professional dancer has tested positive for Covid-19 (Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are pictured)