Strictly Come Dancing 2022 kicked off its first live show in style on Saturday, with all 15 couples taking to the floor to perform their first ever competitive dance of the series.
However, despite a fabulous start, the show hit a technical hitch as Shirley Ballas’ paddle failed to match the board while scoring Tyler West and his partner Dianne Buswell.
In spite of the issue, radio DJ Tyler earned a standing ovation from his favourite judge following his emotional American Smooth to to Falling by Harry Styles, which featured a stunning Angel lift.
Whoops! Despite a fabulous start, the first Strictly Come Dancing show if the series hit a technical hitch as Shirley Ballas’ paddle failed to match the board while scoring Tyler West and his partner Dianne Buswell
Commenting on Tyler’s performance, Shirley said: ‘Any girl would feel very safe doing lifts with you’, before adding that ‘the atmosphere you created was stunning’. She then want on to give him tips on his footwork.
Shirley was so impressed that when it came to the scoring, she attempted to give him a 7, but on screen said a different story as it came up with 6 points.
Amid rumblings of confusion in the crowd, host Claudia Winkleman was forced to clarify Shirley’s score, with the judge admitting she made a mistake amid her excitement, before confirming that she scored 7 points.
And while Shirley had plenty of praise, Craig Revel Horwood rained on Tyler’s parade as he remarked that it ‘all looked a little pedestrian for me’, adding that there was ‘sloppy footwork’ and it ‘lacked emotion’. However, Craig added that he loved the lift and could see potential.
Loved it: In spite of the issue, radio DJ Tyler earned a standing ovation from his favourite judge following his emotional American Smooth to to Falling by Harry Styles, which featured a stunning Angel lift
Kicking off the show was Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima, with the pair looking fabulous in bright yellow ensembles while dancing an energetic Jive to Yes by Merry Clayton
Commenting on the performance, head judge Shirley Ballas enthused: ‘What a way to open the show!’ before adding that she thought the former Coronation Street star ‘did remarkably well’
Anton Du Beke told Kym that it was ‘absolutely wonderful’ and that he ‘really really loved it’. The dancer went on to praise her for her technique, saying that it made the routine look so clean, but warned her to work on her spins.
Nice job: Commenting on Tyler’s performance, Shirley said: ‘Any girl would feel very safe doing lifts with you’, before adding that ‘the atmosphere you created was stunning’. She then want on to give him tips on his footwork
Confirmation: Amid rumblings of confusion in the crowd, host Claudia Winkleman was forced to clarify Shirley’s score, with the judge admitting she made a mistake amid her excitement, before confirming that she scored 7 points
Ever the pessimist, Craig Revel Horwood got his first boos of the series as he moaned that it was ‘all a bit sluggish’, telling the star she needed ‘more energy’ and needed to be up on her toes more.
However, on a positive note, he added that he didn’t agree with Anton, saying that her spins were very good.
While Motsi Mabuse remarked that she looked ‘comfortable’ on the dancefloor, and asked her to bring the confidence and the energy for her next dance.
Fantastic: Tyler and Dianne left everyone impressed with their emotional American Smooth, scoring 22 points
Atmospheric: Tyler and Dionne brought the emotion to their first dance of the series
Wow: The duo brought their all to the dancefloor during the American Smooth
Kym and Graziano’s first dance of the series earned them 23 points.
Jayde Adams and Karen Hauer was up next with a Samba to Dirrty by Christina Aguilera featuring Redman and they certainly turned up the heat.
Their attitude-filled, sassy performance left the audience up on their feet and the judges were certainly impressed too.
An excited Motsi exclaimed: ‘Samba you’re in trouble, you’ve never met this woman!’, while Shirley quipped: ‘I haven’t seen that much attitude on week one – just fantastic!’
Fabulous: Kicking off the show was Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima, with the pair looking fabulous in bright yellow ensembles while dancing an energetic Jive to Yes by Merry Clayton
Kicking and flicking: Commenting on the performance, head judge Shirley Ballas enthused: ‘What a way to open the show!’ before adding that she thought the former Coronation Street star ‘did remarkably well’
You go girls! Jayde Adams and Karen Hauer was up next with a Samba to Dirrty by Christina Aguilera featuring Redman and they certainly turned up the heat
Work it: Their attitude-filled, sassy performance left the audience up on their feet and the judges were certainly impressed too
They’ve got the moves: An excited Motsi exclaimed: ‘Samba you’re in trouble, you’ve never met this woman!’, while Shirley quipped: ‘I haven’t seen that much attitude on week one – just fantastic!’
Can’t believe it: Jayde looked overwhelmed by her scores, as she got a respectable 23 points
Up next, Loose Women’s Kaye Adams attempted to impress with a Tango to Voulez-Vouz by ABBA alongside Kai Widdrington.
The star’s nerves got the better of her however as she made some mistakes during the routine and received a mixed response from the judges.
EastEnders star James Bye then took to the floor with Amy Dowden as they performed an energetic Jive to What I Like About You by The Romantics.
There she is: Up next, Loose Women’s Kaye Adams attempted to impress with a Tango to Voulez-Vouz by ABBA alongside Kai Widdrington
Giving it a go: The star’s nerves got the better of her however as she made some mistakes during the routine and received a mixed response from the judges
Support: Kaye’s Loose Women pals Nadia Sawalha and Jane Moore were cheering her on from the audience
Fun times: EastEnders star James Bye then took to the floor with Amy Dowden as they performed an energetic Jive to What I Like About You by The Romantics
The dazzling series opener kicked off with a colourful carnival-inspired dance from the professionals set to Chaka Khan’s Ain’t No Body, before they were joined on the dancefloor by the judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke.
While hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman descended from the ceiling on a fabulous feather-adorned float while showing off their dance moves.
It comes after the postponed launch show finally aired on Friday after being delayed due to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
It had originally been due to air on September 17, but had been postponed due to it being just two days before the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, which took place on September 19.
The United Kingdom was placed in a period of mourning on September 8 after Buckingham Palace announced the Queen’s passing, with much of BBC’s schedule filled with rolling coverage of events leading to her funeral.
Let’s do this! Strictly Come Dancing 2022 kicked off its first live show in style on Saturday, with all 15 couples taking to the floor to perform their first ever competitive dance of the series
And Strictly ensured it kicked off the series with a bang as the 15 celebrities finally found out who their professional partners were.
Among the pairings, reigning champion Giovanni Pernice formed one of two same-sex pairings this series, as he took to the floor with Richie Anderson.
While comedian Jayde Adams will perform with Karen Hauer.
Elsewhere, Helen Skelton was paired with Gorka Marquez after becoming a last-minute addition to the show, while Katya Jones has been partnered with footballer Tony Adams.
They’ve got the moves! The series opener also featured two incredible performances from the Strictly professionals
The series opener also featured two incredible performances from the Strictly professionals, as well as the return of reigning champion Rose Ayling-Ellis, and a music performance from John Legend who performed his new single All She Wanna Do.
Joining Claudia and Giovanni on the sofa ahead of their comeback dance, Rose told how it was ‘lovely’ to be back on the show while expressing her shock that it had been a year since she took part.
She added that training for her return dance with Giovanni made her realise how much she ‘missed’ training with him, while the Italian hunk added that the few hours they danced together once again was ‘magical’.
This series will be the first in three years to be broadcast without Covid measures, which forced bosses to introduce restrictions including ‘bubbles’ for training and limited audience numbers.
Yes! This series will be the first in three years to be broadcast without Covid measures, which forced bosses to introduce restrictions including ‘bubbles’ for training and limited audience numbers
Series 20 of Strictly will see its stars celebrate 100 years of the BBC with a special themed week this year.
To mark the centenary, the Strictly couples will either dance ‘to a theme tune from an iconic BBC programme or in tribute to one of the BBC’s most-loved services’.
The anniversary show is also set to feature two special routines by the professionals – one will honour the BBC’s Natural History Programming unit, while the other will see the dancers ‘crashing’ some flagship shows.
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday at 6.30pm on BBC One.
Keeep dancing! Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday at 6.30pm on BBC One
Strictly Come Dancing 2022: Who are the couples?
HELEN SKELTON AND GORKA MARQUEZ
Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez
Celebrity’s age: 39
Profession: TV and radio broadcaster
Helen says: ‘I’m really excited to get stuck into a fun adventure. My family and friends have always loved the show and can’t wait for me to get started’
ELLIE SIMMONDS AND NIKITA KUZMIN
Ellie Simmonds and Nikita Guzman
Celebrity’s age: 27
Profession: Former athlete
Ellie says: ‘To be asked to be part of the Strictly family is just so exciting and I cannot wait, it’s going to so much fun.’
ELLIE TAYLOR AND JOHANNES RADEBE
Ellie Taylor and Johannes Radebe
Celebrity’s age: 38
Profession: Comedian
Ellie says: ‘Well, cover me in fake tan and roll me in sequins! I’m absolutely over the moon to be a part of Strictly 2022!’
FLEUR EAST AND VITO COPPOLA
Fleur East and Vito Coppola
Celebrity’s age: 34
Profession: Singer
Fleur says: ‘I’m equally nervous and thrilled to be part of this year’s Strictly line up. I’m excited to learn new skills and I want to soak up every moment of this magical experience.’
JAMES BYE AND AMY DOWDEN
James Bye and Amy Dowden
Celebrity’s age: 38
Profession: EastEnders actor
James says ‘I’m not known for my shimmy or my twinkle toes – in fact my kids regularly laugh at my dad dancing but it’s an honour to be asked and I’m going to give it my best shot.’
JAYDE ADAMS AND KAREN HAUER
Jayde Adams and Karen Hauer
Celebrity’s age: 37
Profession: Comedian
Jayde says: ‘I’ve been a massive fan of the show for years. I feel like I’m watching myself in a dream and I can’t believe I’ve manifested this.’
TYLER WEST AND DIANNE BUSWELL
Tyler West and Dianne Buswell
Celebrity’s age: 26
Profession: Radio DJ
Tyler says: ‘It’s a show that means so much to me and my family and I can’t wait to seriously shake a leg on that shiny dance floor… with a side of sequins.’
HAMZA YASSIN AND JOWITA PRZYSTAL
Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal
Celebrity’s age: 35
Profession: Wildlife cameraman and presenter
Hamza says: ‘I am absolutely over the moon to be joining Strictly 2022. Never in a million years did I think I’d be on such a cool show.’
RICHIE ANDERSON AND GIOVANNI PERNICE
Richie Anderson and Giovanni Pernice
Celebrity’s age: 34
Profession: Radio presenter
Richie says: ‘This is a dream come true! I cannot wait to get in those sparkles and sequins and shimmy across the most famous dance floor in the world!’
KYM MARSH AND GRAZIANO DI PRIMA
Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima
Celebrity’s age: 46
Profession: Coronation Street star and presenter
Kym says: ‘I’m so delighted that this year they have! I’m a huge fan of the show and can’t believe I’m going to go from watching at home in my pyjamas to actually dancing in front of the judges in a glittery dress.’
MATT GOSS AND NADIYA BYCHKOVA
Matt Goss and Nadiya Bychkova
Celebrity’s age: 53
Profession: Singer
Matt says: ‘I’ve been reclusive, I come and work and then go back to America. I thought, it’s time for me to come home and get out of my own way’
MOLLY RAINFORD AND CARLOS GU
Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu
Age: 21
Profession: Singer
Molly says: ‘I already know it’s gonna be an experience of a lifetime and I can’t wait to meet the rest of the Strictly family I’ll be sharing it with.’
WILL MELLOR AND NANCY XU
Will Mellor and Nancy Xu
Celebrity’s age: 46
Profession: Actor
Will says: ‘I know it will be a huge challenge but that’s what life is all about. This is also my Mum’s favourite show and she’s had a really tough few years so I’m doing this is for her as well. Bring it on!’
TONY ADAMS AND KATYA JONES
Tony Adams and Katya Jones
Celebrity’s age: 55
Profession: Retired footballer and manager
Tony says: ‘To say I’m excited is an understatement – the lure of the sequins and the call of the salsa has me swapping my battered old football boots for a set of Strictly soft shoes’
KAYE ADAMS AND KAI WIDDRINGTON
Kaye Adams and Kai Widdrington
Celebrity’s age: 59
Profession: Television presenter
Kaye says: ‘I said I wanted to make the last year of my fifties memorable and i can’t think of a better way of doing it than showing the world my two left feet. Pray for me!’
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