Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter

Image source, PA Media

Strictly Saturday nights returned in an explosion of sequins and standing ovations as a fresh batch of celebrities gave the ballroom their best shot this evening.

There were some astounding revelations of untapped ability: ex-England international Karen Carney banished stereotypes around footballers when she raised the roof with what the judges called the best dance of the night.

Memorable moments included Ellie Goldstein strutting her stuff as the first contestant with Down's Syndrome, while professional Diane Buswell became the first pregnant dancer to compete as she and partner Stefan picked up a respectable 22 points.

There were also some missteps along the way - journalist Ross King will hope to bounce back next week after receiving 10 points from the panel for his Hollywood-inspired Cha Cha Cha.

But nobody is heading home just yet. All 15 couples will get the chance to waltz their way into the hearts of the nation when public voting opens for the first time next week.

That's all from us here for now.

Thanks for Foxtrotting through the night with us.

There won’t be a dance-off show on Sunday because it’s the first week - there’s no public vote and no one’s heading home.

Next week, though, it’s over to you.

The public will get their first chance to vote for their favourites. On Strictly Come Dancing, the result is a blend of the judges’ scores and the public vote – so no couple is ever truly safe.

The two couples with the lowest combined scores will face off in a dance-off. The judges will decide, based on that dance alone, who stays and who waltzes out the door.

There are plenty of special weeks to look forward to, including Movie Night and a show from the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

By the grand finale, just four couples will remain – each performing three routines: the judges’ pick, a show dance, and their favourite dance from the series.

And in the end, the winner of the Glitterball trophy is decided by the public vote.

Here’s how the scoreboards are shaping up, with former footballer Karen Carney sitting pretty at the top – the last time a footballer pulled off that feat was 18 years ago.

Remember, there's no public vote tonight, so no one is going home - though the scores will count towards next week's vote.

Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter

The second former footballer to appear this series, Karen admits her version of sexy is a "half-volley".

Channelling the beautiful game, Karen's partner Carlos then tells her she'll be punished with yellow and red cards for messing up.

The theme immediately plays out on the ballroom floor as Karen pairs a football strip and socks with a sequinned skirt.

She makes use of her fast feet with some speedy leg kicks, and there's even some chants of "Karen" from the audience as the ex-England international calls full-time on the first week.

"It was just sensational, best dance of the night for me," head judge Shirley says to loud cheers.

"That is the way to end a show, with the best dance of the night," Anton agrees.

How do they score?

Craig: 7

Motsi: 8

Shirley: 8

Anton: 8

Former footballer Karen Carney and her partner Carlos Gu are the last to take to the dance floor this week.

They'll be performing the Jive, dancing to One Way or Another by New York new wave band Blondie.

Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter

Late replacement Amber Davies - filling in for the injured Dani Dyer - admits she has no ballroom experience as she meets partner Nikita Kuzmin.

"Flipping hell, lots to think about," she says as she's twirled in a training session.

The pair perform to Adele's When We Were Young as they waltz into their first week.

There are cheers from the audience as the pair synchronise their gliding across the floor, and there's plenty of eye contact.

"I didn't think this would be my Saturday night," a breathless Amber tells Tess as she heads over to the judges.

Despite this, Anton says he'll judge the star on how she performed, and tells her that he sees "enormous potential".

"You are naturally blessed with the neck of a flamingo... long elegant lines which you can't buy," Craig comments.

Motsi, meanwhile, says she loves the "connection" between the couple, calling them a "dynamite package".

Here's the judges' marks:

Craig: 7

Motsi: 7

Shirley: 7

Anton: 6

Helen Bushby and Paul Glynn
Culture reporters

Image source, Getty Images

As we've mentioned, actress and former Love Island winner Amber Davies has been brought in to replace fellow Love Islander Dani Dyer.

"This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life," she said earlier this week. "I've watched Strictly with my family since I was younger and to now be part of the show is a dream come true."

Since winning the ITV show in 2017, Davies has performed in several West End shows, including Pretty Woman, 9 to 5: The Musical, and The Great Gatsby. She was also recently announced as the lead in next year's Legally Blonde tour.

She met and interviewed country icon Dolly Parton in Nashville for a documentary in 2019.

This isn't her first dancing competition either - she came fifth in last year's series of Dancing on Ice.

Next up is Amber Davies, who stepped in late for Dani Dyer after she withdrew due to injury, and Nikita Kuzmin with a waltz.

Apprentice star calls partner Amy "the absolute governor" as she whips him into shape for a debut Paso Doble.

It's a dramatic start for the pair, who are dressed all in black and dancing to Without Honour or Humanity by Hotei.

A scowling Thomas manages a few twirls of his partner and there's even a lift between the legs.

Amy's cheers at the end suggest she's happy with how he's done.

"You're doing exactly as she asked you, without adding anything else," Anton says.

He adds that the performance was excellent for this type of dance, but would like to see more.

"It was more tin-soldier than it was matador I'm afraid," Craig says. "It wasn't for me at all."

Here's how the judges scored the couple:

Craig: 2

Motsi: 4

Shirley: 5

Anton: 5

Up next are Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden, performing a Paso Doble to Battle Without Honour or Humanity by Hotei.

Bosh.

Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter

RuPaul’s La Voix says she hasn’t trained since doing work experience in 1986, as she gets ready for this week’s American Smooth.

La Voix is training as her alter-ego Chris, and partner Aljaž admits he’s worried La Voix won’t perform the same way Chris does.

Entering astride a pink pony and a pole, La Voix looks graceful as she and Aljaž glide across the stage. The pair attempt a first-week lift without anyone being dropped, and there’s laughter in the audience at some skits responding to Chappel Roan’s lyrics.

“It’s time to come off my high horse,” she jokes as she waits for the judges’ reaction.

“You are what we call a true diva,” Shirley says, but asks her to listen a bit more to Aljaž during the performance.

“I felt like you needed to follow Aljaž’s lead a little bit more,” Craig agrees, but says La Voix took the performance to a “whole new level of camp”.

Here are the scores:

Craig: 6

Motsi: 6

Shirley: 6

Anton: 6

Drag Race fans, start your engines - La Voix is up next.

Pink Pony Club by Chappel Roan is an obvious choice of song, as she and partner Aljaž Škorjanec go for the American Smooth as their first dance.

Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter

EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal admits she’s a Strictly “superfan”, having watched since the show’s first series in 2004.

She’s kicking off this week with a Samba, bringing a bit of her EastEnders attitude to the fiery routine.

Balvinder sheds a huge fur coat and shimmers under the glitterball in a gold dress, dancing to the funky soundtrack of KC & The Sunshine Band.

Sparks fly and there’s a big hug with partner Julian at the end, as Tess exclaims: “Balvinder has arrived.”

“I love the vibe,” Anton says, welcoming first-time dancer Julian to the show and praising him for the immersive 70s routine.

Craig says it’s a “little flat footed”, but Motsi calls Balvinder a “natural mover”.

Now for the scores:

Craig: 4

Motsi: 4

Shirley: 4

Anton: 5

Up now are actor Balvinder Sopal and new professional dancer Julian Caillon.

They're dancing a samba to KC & the Sunshine Band's 1976 hit (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty.

Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter

What better song for a former Blue than Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis?

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink admits that dancing is a "whole different ball game", saying: "Footballers don't have a long lifeline in this show."

But his partner Lauren says she's determined to change the stereotype that footballers go out of Strictly early.

All in blue, the pair are quickly out on the floor, with raised arms and fast feet as they perform a Quickstep.

"It's really heating up isn't it," Shirley says, calling it a great performance.

"You moved wonderfully, amazing flow," Anton agrees.

Here's how the couple scored:

Craig: 6

Motsi: 7

Shirley: 7

Anton: 7

No stranger to fast feet, former footballer Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink is next on the floor, where he and partner Lauren Oakley will take on the Quickstep.

The song choice? It just had to be Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis for the former west London favourite.

Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter

We're told Vicky is one of the more nervous contestants before this week's performance, but she says her partner Kai - whose family are from Newcastle too - has been "a dream" to work with.

At her first rehearsal, she tells him she plans to be a "positive pigeon" but admits she's "not the most coordinated of ladies" and knows nothing about the Cha Cha Cha.

It's a confident start though, as Vicky sways her hips and even throws in a few spins for good measure.

The hard work seems to have paid off, as Vicky rounds off the routine with a leg raise and a huge cheer.

"You have nothing to be nervous about," Craig comments, and Motsi agrees: "That was a very difficult choreography and you were always connected with Kai."

Here's how they scored:

Craig: 5

Motsi: 6

Shirley: 6

Anton: 6

Hoping to Cha Cha Cha their way into the judges' hearts are the next couple, Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington.

They'll be performing to Best of My Love by Ella Eyre.

Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter

It's a much more sedate affair as social media star George takes the stage with new professional dancer Alexis.

There's an early lift as the YouTuber raises his partner around his hips, and he's even able to dangle Alexis just inches above the floor moments later.

Asked if George's performance suggests he's a ballroom boy, Anton responds: "He's on the way certainly." He even has a few demonstrative pointers, and says: "All in all, good job."

This is followed up by praise from Craig: "For someone who's never danced before, you have amazing potential."

Will the scores reflect this? Let's see:

Craig: 6

Motsi: 6

Shirley: 6

Anton: 6

Image source, PA Media

Alexis Warr is one of two professional dancers joining the Strictly family this year.

Warr has already graced the dance floor as a guest on Strictly’s American cousin, Dancing With The Stars. The American has also been part of the show’s tour for the past three years.

Another new joiner, Australian Julian Caillon has been dancing since he was 10 and has represented his country on the international stage.

He’s appeared as a professional dancer on three seasons of Australia’s Dancing With The Stars, and has also competed in the Australian version of So You Think You Can Dance.