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Strictly Come Dancing, week one: What the judges said

See what the judges had to say and find out how they scored the 12 celebrities as they took to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom for the first time.

Strictly Come Dancing 2020 is finally, officially, completely underway!

Tonight the 12 couples took to the dancefloor for the first time and you can find out what the judges had to say - and more importantly, how they scored the performances - below.



Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer on Strictly Come Dancing week one on October 24, 2020© BBC

Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer

Dance: Cha Cha Cha
Song: 'Think About Things' by Dadi Freyr

Shirley Ballas: "What a way to open the show with all that glitz and glamour. You gave a very nice performance. You do show potential to have a wiggly, rhythmical lower half. You need a little bit more sense of line." 5/10

Motsi Mabuse: "I've never in my life seen anybody want to dance so much as you there. The middle parts you had a lot of energy - work on the technique. That was party with Jamie and I want to see it all the time!" 5/10

Craig Revel Horwood: "It was all very flat-footed I'm afraid and very stiff of hip, darling. You were counting all the way through. You've got to stop the mouth from counting the numbers - that's all meant to go on in your head." 4/10

TOTAL SCORE: 14/30



Caroline Quentin and Johannes Radebe on Strictly Come Dancing week one on October 24, 2020© BBC

Caroline Quentin and Johannes Radebe

Dance: American Smooth
Song: '9-5 (Morning Train)' by Sheena Easton

Motsi Mabuse: "I didn't see a dancer - I saw a dancing queen! Attention to detail. Just your frame was a delight - your feet closing together, your fingers, your expression - you brought the dance to life." 7/10

Craig Revel Horwood: "The musicality was a sensation. The finish on the arms and hands was elegant and graceful, I loved it." 7/10

Shirley Ballas: "You're going to bring so much joy to millions of people. You are graceful, you are charming, you are elegant, you have such exquisite sense of timing. You did yourself so proud today." 7/10

TOTAL SCORE: 21/30



Max George and Dianne Buswell on Strictly Come Dancing week one on October 24, 2020© BBC

Max George and Dianne Buswell

Dance: Tango
Song: 'Best Fake Smile' by James Bay

Craig Revel Horwood: "I would have liked to have seen more a V-shape in the ballroom part of that tango. There needs to be a clearer change of direction - you don't have that skill when you get it. Darling, you're very watchable though and easy on the eye." 6/10

Shirley Ballas: "That was a fierce tango. You have a lot of potential for sure, but I would have liked myself a traditional tango where did you not break hold. Your hold was actually really very good." 5/10

Motsi Mabuse: "I'm watching you and I think you have it all - you have a beautiful neck and top frame. I felt you thinking during the dance. You must have a much far away projection." 6/10

TOTAL SCORE: 17/30



Clara Amfo and Aljaz Skorjanec on Strictly Come Dancing week one on October 24, 2020© BBC

Clara Amfo and Aljaz Skorjanec

Dance: Cha Cha Cha
Song: 'Don't Start Now' by Dua Lipa

Shirley Ballas: "You have some rhythm in that body let me tell you. Some great chemistry. I loved the poly-rhythms at the end - all in all a very good start to the show." 6/10

Motsi Mabuse: "The word that comes up in my head is determination. I think you need to take awareness from now on. As a start - high energy, keep it rolling." 7/10

Craig Revel Horwood: "Stompy. I thought you could do with straighter legs. The disco elements I absolutely loved but technically I thought it was poor. But the positive is there's time to improve." 5/10

TOTAL SCORE: 18/30



Jacqui Smith and Anton Du Beke on Strictly Come Dancing week one on October 24, 2020© BBC

Jacqui Smith and Anton Du Beke

Dance: Foxtrot
Song: 'Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life' by Monty Python

Motsi Mabuse: "I have to really say, starting from being a former politician and coming on the floor, it's two worlds apart - well done." 5/10

Craig Revel Horwood: "It lacked musicality, which made it end up a bit lumpy. You need to double your energy, darling. Make sure you close your feet - you could drive a trailer through them." 3/10

Shirley Ballas: "I was pleasantly surprised. At the launch show you looked terrified - you've made a huge, huge improvement. I loved it, well done." 5/10

TOTAL SCORE: 13/30



JJ Chalmers and Amy Dowden on Strictly Come Dancing week one on October 24, 2020© BBC

JJ Chalmers and Amy Dowden

Dance: Waltz
Song: 'What A Wonderful World' by Louis Armstrong

Craig Revel Horwood: "There was a little bit of gapping, you need a little bit more drive on the 1-2-3. But beautiful." 6/10

Shirley Ballas: "I loved the music, I loved what it all represented. The way you hold your frame is magnificent. This was simple, beautiful, just lovely." 6/10

Motsi Mabuse: "I'm getting a little bit emotional. That's my dad's favourite song, I just feel like you captured what ballroom dancing means. It was just you both on the dancefloor - every look, every detail, I loved it and it was magical." 7/10

TOTAL SCORE: 19/30



Maisie Smith and Gorka Marquez on Strictly Come Dancing week one on October 24, 2020© BBC

Maisie Smith and Gorka Marquez

Dance: Samba
Song: 'Samba (Conga)' by Gloria Estefan

Shirley Ballas: "Absolutely firecracker, you brought some Brazil to the ballroom this evening. You pushed yourself, you challenged yourself." 8/10

Motsi Mabuse: "GIRL. POWER. You got us up and dancing with you. Your shaking felt so authentic - that's how it was supposed to be." 8/10

Craig Revel Horwood: "Ah-ma-zing darling." 8/10

TOTAL SCORE: 24/30



Jason Bell and Luba Mushtuk on Strictly Come Dancing week one on October 24, 2020© BBC

Jason Bell and Luba Mushtuk

Dance: American Smooth
Song: 'My Girl' by The Temptations

Motsi Mabuse: "I think from now on I'm going to call you Jason Joy because you spread the joy." 6/10

Craig Revel Horwood: "I wasn't fond, I have to admit, with the fusion - the Jackson 5 going into foxtrot. I think this was a risk that didn't pay off sadly." 4/10

Shirley Ballas: "I think you gave it 100%. Your footwork was fantastic. You have the joy, you have the partner and you have the potential - the sky's the limit." 6/10

TOTAL SCORE: 16/30



Ranvir Singh and Giovanni Pernice on Strictly Come Dancing week one on October 24, 2020© BBC

Ranvir Singh and Giovanni Pernice

Dance: Paso Doble
Song: 'End Of Time' by Beyonce

Craig Revel Horwood: "Darling you used that dress like a diva drag queen, I loved it. A great first dance." 7/10

Shirley Ballas: "You lived every moment of being that Spanish lady. The basic contemporary style you gave to that was superb Gio." 7/10

Motsi Mabuse: "For me you are the one that has most improved since the launch show. You built a great foundation... I adored it, I loved it." 7/10

TOTAL SCORE: 21/30



Nicola Adams and Katya Jones on Strictly Come Dancing week one on October 24, 2020© BBC

Nicola Adams and Katya Jones

Dance: Quickstep
Song: 'Get Happy' by Ella Fitzgerald

Shirley Ballas: "Light on your feet, whipped around the floor - this is a partnership I'm really going to enjoy watching." 7/10

Motsi Mabuse: "You look good, I like how everything is fitted together. Oh my goodness, you rocked it, we loved it, keep going." 7/10

Craig Revel Horwood: "They proved it's absolute dynamite. I adored this. What a fantastic, fantastic partnership." 7/10

TOTAL SCORE: 21/30



Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse on Strictly Come Dancing week one on October 24, 2020© BBC

Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse

Dance: Cha Cha Cha
Song: 'Pata Pata' by Miriam Makeba

Motsi Mabuse: "You two are just a whole mood, guys. That dance is legendary in South Africa - there's a whole country up and dancing with you now. We have to work on that technique but keep that sense of mood." 6/10

Craig Revel Horwood: "I think Mr Bailey you've created a whole new dance genre, my love. It was like you were dancing on hot coals after 10 double espressos. You threw yourself into it shamelessly, well done." 3/10

Shirley Ballas: "I think that was inspiring for every man watching. You brought the biggest smile to my face - that was committed." 6/10

TOTAL SCORE: 15/30



HRVY and Janette Manrara on Strictly Come Dancing week one on October 24, 2020© BBC

HRVY and Janette Manrara

Dance: Jive
Song: 'Faith' by Stevie Wonder ft. Ariana Grande

Craig Revel Horwood: "Where are all the vowels, darling? The jive was absolutely spectacular." 8/10

Shirley Ballas: "Fierce, fast, furious - some great actions. You were absolutely on top of your game. This is going to be one fierce competition." 8/10

Motsi Mabuse: "For me this was the best first dance I have ever seen - ever, ever, ever. This was awesome." 9/10

TOTAL SCORE: 25/30


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Written by
Neil Wilkes

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