Strictly Come Dancing returned with a bang on Saturday night, with impressive performances from all the celebrities.
The class of 2025 last week were introduced to their partners and shared tiny glimpses of their dancing skills in a group number as the pre-recorded launch show kicked off.
In a series which is already full of twists and turns as Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn pulled out days after he was announced and Dani Dyer has been forced to make a sad exit from the show after fracturing her ankle, this year promises to be action-packed.
The celebs have been fake-tanned and sequinned up to the eyeballs and, tonight, they put in their all to impress the judges, including Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke.
We’ll be bringing you all the latest updates and action from on and off the dancefloor – so stay tuned with us here!
Rose Hill
Shirley Ballas reveals real reaction to head judge twist
Head judge Shirley Ballas has revealed how she really feels about the head judge twist.
For the first time in the show’s history, the casting vote on who stays will fall down to a different judge every week. For the past seven years, Head Judge Shirley has ultimately had to decide on who goes home if the judges are split.
Following the revelation this evening, a fan questioned how she felt.
Taking to X, Shirley rsesponded: “I got a call and I said ‘omg yes love it. I can’t wait to see Anton send someone home’ #Strictly.”
Phoebe Tonks
Could a Jive be this year’s key to success?
After just one live show and with three months left to go until the final, it’s still early days for our favourite couples as they shimmy, shake and toe-tap themselves one step closer to lifting the all important glitter ball trophy.
However, both of the top scorers in week one happened to be the same dance, with both Karen Carney & Carlos Gu and Lewis Cope & Katya Jones having delighted audiences and judges alike with a lively Jive performance.
Karen and Carlos delighted audiences with their Jive to One Way Or Another by Blondie, scoring a very impressive 31 points, however Lewis and Katya weren’t far behind either, with their Jive to Get Ready by The Temptations bagging them an equally respectable 28 points.
Although there’s still a long way to go until the final, could a jive be the key to securing victory? It’s been 21 years since the last time a Jive has won the show, but Jill Halfpenny’s winning performance with Darren Bennett all the way back in 2004 still remains an iconic part of Strictly history – not least because it was the first ever routine to achieve a perfect score of 40.
Could we see the same again this year?
Phoebe Tonks
Leaderboard topper Karen Carney reveals real reason she joined series
During her career as a footballer, Karen Carney was regularly considered — and celebrated — as the most cool, calm and collected player on the pitch. But as she steps into her Strictly Come Dancing glamorous gown and heels, she admits in an exclusive chat with OK! that it’s pushing her further out of her comfort zone than she’s ever been.
“The challenge for me will be trying to show the real version of me, and not getting shy or awkward, or insular,” she reveals when we sit down with her a few days before the latest series kicks off. “A lot of people will have seen me in the football environment, and it’s quite intense. My feeling is that people perceive me in a certain way — that I’m very… serious. But that’s not really accurate!”
“I want people to see the warm side of me. The kind, caring team player. I’m actually quite awkward, and nervous. But I’m also really daft and funny, and I probably just want to bring the other version of Karen, not the footballer Karen.
“Everyone I know who’s been on Strictly has told me not to be too hard on myself. If it was football, I’d be absolutely critical of myself, but this isn’t my thing, it’s the pros’ thing — and I’m humbled and privileged to be on the show.”
For the full story on how Karen is hoping to dazzle audiences, keep reading here.
Karen and Carlos topped the leaderboard on Saturday night (
Image:
PA)
Phoebe Tonks
When is Strictly on next?
With the exception of the launch show, Strictly usually airs twice a week, with the main show taking place on Saturdays, followed by the all important results reveal and elimination the following Sunday.
As the series kicked off this week, it means there will be no second dose of glitz and glamour on Sunday September 28 – as week one means our favourite celebrities don’t have to face the dreaded dance off. But fear not dance lovers, as you won’t have too long to wait until the show is back on our screens next weekend when it returns to BBC One at 18:20 on Saturday 4th October.
In the meantime, however, fans can also catch up on all the latest behind the scenes gossip with Strictly It Takes Two, every Monday to Friday at 18:30 on BBC Two.
Phoebe Tonks
Tonight’s leaderboard in full
After a whirlwind show captured the hearts of viewers around the country, here’s a reminder of those all important scores after the first live show of the season.
Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova – 3, 4, 3, 4 = 14
Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe – 4, 6, 5, 6 = 21
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer – 4, 5, 5, 5 = 19
Stefan Dennis and Dianne Buswell 4, 6, 6, 6 = 22
Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola 4, 4, 4, 5 = 17
Lewis Cope and Katya Jones 7, 7, 7, 7 = 28
Ross King and Jowita Przystał 2, 3, 2, 3 = 10
George Clarke and Alexis Warr 6, 6, 6, 6 = 24
Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington 5, 6, 6, 6 = 23
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley – 6, 7, 7, 7 = 27
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon 4, 4, 4, 5 = 17
La Voix and Aljaz Skorjanec 6, 6, 6, 6 = 24
Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden 2, 4, 5, 5 = 16
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin 7, 7, 7, 6 = 27
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu 7, 8, 8, 8 = 31
Phoebe Tonks
New rule change will take effect from next week
As fans rejoiced at the return of Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night – the competition was fierce even on day one, and it looks set to get even tougher thanks to a new rule change.
After seven years, it was revealed during this evening’s first live show, that head judge Shirley Ballas would no longer hold the deciding vote in any tie-breaker dance, with the dancing legend having opted to share the power this year in a new change to the existing format.
As regular viewers will know, up until now, each Sunday the two couples with the lowest public votes would go head to head in a dance off, in order to secure their place, with Shirley joined by Anton du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse to pass judgement on who they’d like to save.
If after casting their votes, the scores were tied, the deciding vote typically fell to Shirley – but in the shake-up this is no longer the case.
With no eliminations scheduled this week due to the show’s launch, the change will start from next week, when the first couple will be eliminated from the series. As of yet, Strictly aren’t revealing which judge has the power, but the celebs are worried…
Zara Woodcock
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 winner ‘revealed’
Fans of Strictly Come Dancing think they’ve already cracked who will win the 2025 series as the launch show kicked off on Saturday.
As the new line-up hit the dance floor for the first time and performed for the judges, fans claimed to have spotted the winner. Just one performance in and months before the final in December, viewers picked out one pairing in particular that they say are “going to win”.
As the show continued, fans shared their thoughts on the “clear winner” and named Emmerdale’s Lewis Cope as their champion. Despite Amber Davies and footballer Karen Carney proving popular, it was Lewis’ week one routine that left fans convinced he’d be this year’s winner.
Read more about their thoughts here.
Strictly fans reckon Lewis could win the BBC show (
Image:
PA)
Zara Woodcock
And the leaderboard says…
Karen and Carlos received a whopping 31 points, wih Lewis and Katya right behind with 28. Jimmy and Lauren and Amber and Nikita tied with 27 points.
George and Alexis and La Voix and Aljaz impressed judges with 24 points while Vicky and Kai got a respecable 23. Stefan and Dianne were next with 22 followed by Alex and Johannes with 21.
Harry and Karen got 19 points with Ellie and partner Vito and Balvinder and Julia matched with 17 points.
Thomas and Amy were next with 16 and Chris and Nadiya got 14 points. Last came Ross and Jowita with 10 points.
Zara Woodcock
Tess Daly asked ‘what just happened’ during one shocking moment
One Strictly Come Dancing star left viewers and the judges “stunned” with their performance on Saturday night.
Viewers “were not expecting it” when former footballer Karen Carney and her professional dance partner Carlos Gu took to the dance floor and pulled off an epic routine. They had the studio audience on their feet, with host Tess Daly wowed by their performance, telling them so.
As the fast-paced and energetic routine came to an end, it was clear Karen and pro Carlos had the best time. Viewers also enjoyed it, racing to X to share their praise – while the studio audience applauded the duo.
As Karen and Carlos headed over to the judges, a surprised Tess asked them: “What just happened?” She wasn’t the only one not expecting it though, with fans admitting they hadn’t initially had Karen down as their early lead.
Zara Woodcock
Amber and Nikita in tears after ‘whirlwind’ 24 hours
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BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing star Amber Davies wowed the judges in her first performance – but there were tears after.
The pair were emotional as they discussed their short time on the show so far. Upstairs, talking to Claudia, Nikita gave a shoutout to Dani Dyer and quipped that he was unemployed for two days, where he repeatedly cleaned his house.
He even joked he applied for a Tesco Clubcard, forcing Claudia to say there were other supermarkets available as per the BBC’s guidelines of no product placement or advertising.
Read more here.
Jasmine Allday
Karen and Carlos wow to close the show!
Footballer Karen impressed alongside professional partner Carlos Gu.
“That is the way to end the show with the best dance of the night,” Anton said, as Craig was lost for words.
Karen scored a huge 31 points, including a 7 from Craig, for her routine and she said it was an “honour” to be a part of the show. The last time a footballer topped the leaderboard was 18 years ago, host Claudia revealed.
Jasmine Allday
Amber Davies wows with performance after 24 hours rehearsal
Love Island star Amber wowed with her dance – with just a day rehearsal.
The reality star stepped in at the last minute after Dani Dyer hurt her ankle. Anton said her frame needed work and she had “enormous potential”, whilst Craig said Amber was “naturally blessed” with her “flamingo neck”.
“It started with a waltz crash course. Everyone has been so welcoming,” Amber told Claudia. Nikita said the week was “overwhelming”, as he paid tribute to Dani and got emotional.
They scored a total of 27 points for their waltz.
Jasmine Allday
Thomas Skinner makes Strictly debut
Viewers all say the same thing about Tom (
Image:
BBC)
Craig Revel Horwood described Tom and Amy Dowden’s Paso Doble as more like the tin man.
“I’m so proud of you,” Amy could be heard saying as they made their way up the stairs – whilst The Apprentice star was praised for being a “beginner with bad posture”.
Tom received a score of 16, including a 2 from Craig.
Jasmine Allday
La Voix’s performance hit by technical blunder
La Voix was meant to descend on a flying carousel horse. However, things didn’t go to plan and La Voix ended up scoring a total of 24 points, with 6 from each of the judges.
La Voix and her partner Aljaž Škorjanec danced to Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan, and she was watched on in the studio by her beloved dad.
Jasmine Allday
Balvinder and Julian’s Samba
EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal performed a Samba to (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty by KC & The Sunshine Band alongside pro dancer Julian Caillon.
Anton said he “loved the 70s disco vibe” and praised Balvinder for being “excellent from the waist up”.
She sxcored a total of 17 points for her routine.
Jasmine Allday
Strictly Ross King’s girlfriend seen for first time
As Ross and Jowita waited for their scores, Ross revealed he wasn’t alone, as his girlfriend flew 5000 miles to be with him.
“It’s so lovely that my girlfriend flew all the way, 5000 miles. I said, ‘come tonight Bridget,’ because there might not be too many of these,'” as she was seen laughing in the audience. His sister Elaine was also there cheering him on.
Read more about Bridget’s special trip here.
Ross King’s girlfriend was pictured for the first time (
Image:
BBC)
Jimmy and Lauren’s Chelsea inspired quickstep
Former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink wowed with their Chelsea inspired quickstep to, aptly named, Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis.
Shirley praised the “great quality and control, frame and footwork” as Jimmy’s two daughters proudly watched on.
Jasmine Allday
Vicky and Kai’s cha cha gets them 23 points
Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington’s Cha Cha earns them 23 points.
Whilst Craig said it “lacked hip action and connection but you have nothing to be nervous about”, Shirley praised their “footwork and flexibility”.
George impresses with Alexis
New professional dancer Alexis has been paired with George Clarke.
“You have amazing potential,” Craig said, with Motsi praising George’s humble way of performing. George and Alexis danced an American Smooth to Stargazing by Myles Smith.
Hollywood-inspired routine
Good Morning Britain star Ross King and dancer Jowita Przystał did a Cha Cha to California Gurls by Katy Perry.
“I loved the energy, it was very uplifting,” Anton said. He said there was a lot to like but also a lot that went wrong and urged Ross to come back next week with more steps.
Craig described it as “very awkward”.
Lewis and Katya perform
Trained dancer Lewis Cope explained throughout his VT why his dance experience wouldn’t help him in the BBC show. But he showed no signs of discomfort or struggle as he wowed with his opening routine.
“Wow what just happened?” Tess said, as even Craig was left speechless by Lewis’ performance.
Lewis and Katya’s Jive to Get Ready by The Temptations will no doubt see them receive huge scores!
Lewis wowed with his performance (
Image:
BBC)
Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola wowed with their Cha Cha to yes, and? by Ariana Grande.
The model wowed with her performance, and head judge Shirley Ballas even gave Ellie a fan with the word ‘Fabulous’ on it, as she heaped praise on the model.
Stefan dances to Neighbours!
Expectedly, Stefan Dennis dances to the theme tune of Neighbours.
Dianne and Stefan danced to the Neighbours theme song (
Image:
BBC)
His professional partner Dianne Buswell – who is expecting her first child – joined him on the dancefloor, and Dianne could be heard saying “don’t worry” to Stefan as they made their way back in front of the judges.
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer kicked off their Strictly journey by dancing the Cha Cha to Push It by Salt-N-Pepa.
In their routine, Gladiator Harry – also known as Nitro – showed off his strength by doing push-ups with Karen on his back.
In an emotional turn of events, Harry explained how he wasn’t able to move a lot this time last year and he got teary as he explained how his own journey had left him amazed!
Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe danced a Viennese Waltz to Cry Me a River by Justin Timberlake for their opening number.
“There wasn’t quite enough in hold,” Anton said, as he revealed he’d like to see more. He praised the atmosphere and drama and said the couple gave a “new feel” to an old-fashioned dance.
Opening the series is Chris Robshaw and his professional dance partner Nadiya!
Chris and Nadiya perform first! (Image: BBC)
The pair danced a Samba to the track Unbelievable, with Chris saying it was “some achievement” to be dancing the routine as he didn’t even know what a Samba was before.
“I think you have a strong work ethic,” Motsi said, before encouraging Chris to go back to the drawing board and vowed he will “get there”.
Dani Dyer’s absence from the show was noted at the start of the BBC show.
Fans will know that Dani fractured her ankle and had to withdraw from the competition. However, it seemed she was not present at the show tonight when Tess and Claudia announced that Dani had to pull out.
Amber Davies, a fellow Love Island star, has replaced her at the last minute. Click here to see what Tess and Claudia said about Dani.
As the show kicked off, viewers were left puzzled as Dani Dyer made an appearance – despite not being in the show anymore. The BBC show awkardly showed Dani in a VT alongside her fellow contestants.
Amber is partnered with Nikita! (Image: BBC)
Love Island star Amber Davies, who has replaced her, was nowhere to be seen. One wrote: “Dani Dyer still on the opening credits and no Amber Davies…slightly awkward #Strictly.”
“Okay so they didn’t have time to put amber in the titles yet #strictly,” another added. A third penned: “Dani dyer in the titles still #Strictly,” alongside a meme that read ‘well this is awkward’.
The series hasn’t even started and angry fans are fuming. The BBC show was due to start at 18.55 and at 18.56, the show was yet to be on.
Angry fans fumed on Twitter over the ‘missing’ few minutes of the show. Read what they had to say here.
In a shock twist just days before the live shows, former Love Island star Amber Davies has been drafted in to replace Dani Dyer – which has been a bit of a blow for pro dancer Nikita.
Nikita, who had been tipped as a favourite when paired with Dani, suddenly finds himself on shakier ground.
Former professional footballer Karen Carney has now revealed just why she joined the show.
Karen has shared her real reason for doing the show (Image: PA)
Speaking about the hardest thing for her on the show, Karen revealed: “The challenge for me will be trying to show the real version of me, and not getting shy or awkward, or insular.
“A lot of people will have seen me in the football environment, and it’s quite intense. My feeling is that people perceive me in a certain way — that I’m very… serious. But that’s not really accurate!”
Strictly is back for its live shows in less than an hour!
The BBC show has already been marred with ups and downs, after Kristian Nairn quit before training even began – and Love Island star Dani Dyer was forced to pull out of the competition after fracturing her ankle.
Fellow Love Island star Amber Davies replaced Dani at the eleventh hour, whilst Emmerdale star Lewis Cope replaced Kristian.
Dani Dyer has shared a message to the Strictly cast ahead of tonight’s live show after being forced to miss the competition due to injury.
Dani took to Instagram and shared: “Good luck to all the gorgeous cast starting there strictly journey tonight can’t wait to watch you all, so proud & know how hard you’ve all been working.. see you all soon.”
Dianne Buswell will be taking to the dancefloor alongside Stefan Dennis – and her unborn baby – tonight.
Ahead of the live shows, Dianne shared a little update with fans, telling them: “We have done our run. We have both had physio and acupuncture for the second time. We have had some lunch. He had the chicken and I had the tofu.”
Just hours before the Strictly live show kicks off, one star has been dealt a huge blow.
Strictly will be back on screens tonight as 15 celebrities take to the dancefloor for the first live show of the series – but for one, there was some bad news just hours before.
Hours before the live show launch, Amber got all dressed up in a video alongside her new dance partner Nikita Kuzmin.
In the clip, Love Islander Amber was seen wearing a silver sequinned dress as she tells Nikita: “I’m so excited” to which Nikita says: “Why?” And Amber responds with: “Because we’re dancing togehter tonight” before the pair jump up and down in excitement.
In the comments section, fans admitted divided opinions over Amber’s signing. One wrote: “Nikitas first Strictly win could be on the cards” but another said: “Gutted for Dani but excited for this duo” while a third asked: “How can they dance with no practice”.
Another said: “Honestly biggest respect to Amber for getting thrown in the deep end and train her butt off for tonight” while a fifth wrote: “Sad that Dani is out but what a super sub! Excited for this pairing”.
The first live show of Strictly Come Dancing’s 2025 series will kick off at 6.55pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The live show airs for two and a half hours, meaning it will wrap up at 9.25pm.
Earlier this week it was announced that Dani Dyer had sadly been forced to pull out of the competition afer she fractured her ankle.
The Love Island star, who had expressed her joy at taking part in the series during the launch show, had been left heartbroken while her dance partner, Nikita Kuzmin was gutted and left without a partner.
Many fans wondered for days who would replace Dani and, yesterday, it was announced Amber Davies will step into her shoes. A Strictly spokesperson said: “Amber is a Welsh actor, podcaster, TV personality, and West End star. Viewers will see her make her debut on tomorrow night’s Strictly Come Dancing.
“Amber has just started rehearsals with her partner Nikita Kuzmin, and they will dance a Waltz on tomorrow night’s first live show of the series.”
Amber, who also rose to fame on Love Island but on a different series to Dani, is a West End star.
(Image: BBC/PA Wire)
Hours before the live show, Vicky Pattison admitted she’s ‘riddled with anxiety’ as she prepares to take to the ballroom dance floor for the first time.
Sharing a tearful selfie on her Instagram, the Geordie lass candidly confessed: “I’m lying in bed freshly spray tanned and absolutely RIDDLED with nerves and anxiety about tomorrow’s first live show just scrolling through my phone and I came across this picture…
“It’s from the day my agent called me and told me I’d got @bbcstrictly. As someone who has watched the show for years and is a huge fan… I honestly just couldn’t believe they’d want someone like me. In fact, I still can’t..
“When the nerves ramp up a notch tomorrow which they undoubtedly will, I’m going to remind myself of this moment… how unbelievably lucky I felt to be taking part in such an amazing show, to be learning a new skill and gaining a new family too.. all these lovely things
“I don’t want to look back on this experience and just remember how scared I was all the time.. I want my memories to be full of joy, happiness and the twinkliest of toes So I’m going to try my absolute best tomorrow to put on a good show for the judges and everyone watching in the audience and at home… and I’m going to try my hardest to just be grateful to be taking part…
