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After a year's wait, Strictly Come Dancing returned for season 20 with a brand new line-up of celebrities taking to the dance floor.

On Friday, the launch show took place, with the celebrities in the Strictly Come Dancing 2022 line-up and professional dancers getting acquainted.

The Strictly Come Dancing 2022 couples were then revealed, with new pros Vito Coppola and Carlos Gu receiving their first ever celebrity partners.

Vito was paired with singer and presenter Fleur East, who has a strict schedule in place to juggle her busy work life with Strictly.

Speaking at the launch, she said: “I’ve got six alarms that I set, because I snooze all of them. I’ll be up at 4.30am waking everyone up and then dancing at night!"

When asked what kind of teacher he'll be, Vito revealed: "Behind this smile I’m very tough but I’m sure that she’s going to be alright because she’s a hard worker too!”

Carlos took to the ballroom with CBBC’s Molly Rainford, who couldn't wait to show off her moves.

"I can’t wait to get dancing and get learning some stuff, I feel like it’s going to be electric," she added.

Also in this year's line-up is Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds, who recently revealed how she'll adapt her routines.

On her professional partner Nikita Kuzmin, she explained: "He’s never danced this with anyone with dwarfism before and I've never ever danced before in my life.

"So we said to each other we're just gonna see how it is, you know, adapt. Like if I have to hold him differently, I'll hold him differently. It might be so different but I think if I can do it, which is completely out of my comfort zone, people watching from home can realise they can adapt."

On Saturday 24th September, the celebrities and their professional partners performed for the first time together. Following each routine, the Strictly Come Dancing judges scored them and all points were added to the leaderboard.

Returning to the judging panel is head judge Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke, who takes over permanently from Bruno Toniloi, following his departure earlier this year.

As it's the first week on the dance floor, all celebs are immune from eliminations. Their scores will be combined with their Week Two scores, after which the public vote will be opened. The two celebs who receive the fewest votes will then have to perform their routine again, after which the judges will reveal who they'd like to save and who will be going home.

For the 20th season, viewers are in for quite the treat, with the show returning to Blackpool.

The week, which sees the remaining contestants performing at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, was scrapped during the pandemic, but the BBC recently confirmed Blackpool and a new themed week dedicated to the BBC's 100th birthday.

Speaking about the plans for season 20, executive producer Sarah James said: "We know how much viewers love the Strictly themed weeks so it’s fantastic to be able to announce a new one, celebrating the BBC’s centenary.

"It’s the icing on the cake to be able to confirm that we are returning to the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom this year, we can’t wait to get back to Blackpool!"

Here's everything that happened in the first live shows.

  • Goodnight!

    And so the first live show has come to an end! It's been a fantastic night full of amazing performances.

    The contestants will return to the dance floor next week and the voting line will open. Robbie Williams will also be stopping by to perform on Sunday's results show.

    Thanks for keeping us company and we'll see you next week!

    jake
  • It Takes Two is back!

    The return of Strictly means the returns of its sister show, Strictly: It Takes Two hosted by Rylan Clark and Janette Manrara who are in the studio tonight looking as fab as ever!

  • Fleur's scores are in

    And it's 7, 7, 7, 8, 29 for Fleur, putting her in third place on the leaderboard. Not bad!

  • Last but not least

    Dancing the Cha Cha Cha to Let's Get Loud by Jennifer Lopez is Fleur East and her professional dance partner Vito Coppola, and what a way to close the show!

    Craig thinks it was a little "wild" but that Fleur is a "fantastic" dancer.

    Similarly, Motsi loves the performance, but thinks Fleur could do with "controlling" her steps a little better.

    So, what's it going to be?

  • Joint second for Hamza

    It's 8, 9, 9, 8 for Hamza putting him in joint first place on the leaderboard with Will Mellor - you go, Hamza!

  • Hamza and Jowita take to the dance floor

    Dancing the Foxtrot to Islands In The Stream by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers is Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal.

    Hamza said he wanted to emulate some kind of flamingo on the dance floor, so has he nailed it?

    "We've got ourselves a ballroom dancer in the house!" Anton gushes.

    "Who knew, darling?" Craig adds.

    And head judge Shirley couldn't agree more, saying how "easy" Hamza's performance was.

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  • Ellie's scores are in

    And it's 6, 7, 7, 8 for Ellie, giving her a total of 28 points.

    Well done, Ellie!

  • Ellie and Johannes take to the floor

    Dancing the Quickstep to Am What I Am by Klaus Hallen Tanzorchester, Ellie and Johannes show off their moves and what an enchanting performance from these two!

    It's good reviews for Ellie. Shirley thinks her performance was "beautiful" while Anton loves the "Hollywood glamour" of the dance.

    Ellie could do with a little work on her feet, but in Week 1 this isn't unusual!

  • Way to go Will!

    The scores are in and it's 8, 9, 8, 9, for Will, giving him a total of 34 points and pushing him right to the top of the leaderboard.

  • Will and Nancy are up

    Jive to Livin' La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin, Will Mellor and Nancy Xu take to the dance floor, and it's an energetic performance from these two.

    If I didn't know otherwise, I'd actually think Will has had some dancing training prior to the show because for a first performance, he's really not bad.

    Let's see what the judges have to say...

    "I'm happy, I'm happy, I'm happy!" Motsi gushes, before adding: "I'm speechless."

    Shirley is in agreement as she praises Will on his "power packed" performance.

    "Honestly that was so brilliant!" Anton says.

    And it's good news all round, with Craig admitting: "I loved it!"

  • And the scores are in...

    Tony's scores are in and it's 3, 4, 4,4, giving him a total of 15.

    He might be at the bottom of the leaderboard, but Tony still has next week to pull it out the bag.

    Good luck, Tony!

  • Tony Tangos

    Dancing the Tango to Go West by Village People is football star Tony Adams and his professional dance partner Katya Jones.

    And there's some positives for Tony.

    Craig says there's some "aggression" and "attack" and Motsi can see it coming together.

    "You have potential!" Shirley adds.

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  • Ellie's scores are in

    Ellie scores 6, 7, 7, 6 giving her a total of 26 points and putting her in joint second place on the leaderboard.

  • Ellie and Nikita Cha Cha Cha

    Ellie Simmonds and her dance partner Nikita Kuzmin are up, and it's a Cha Cha Cha for these two.

    And it's great comments all round for Ellie, who seems to have nailed her timing and is very "focused."

    So, what will Ellie score?

  • Fives across the board for Matt

    The scores are in and it's 5, 5, 5, 5 for Matt, giving him a total of 20 points.

    That puts Matt at the bottom of the leaderboard, but luckily for him, no one will be leaving this week, so he still has next week to brush up!

  • Matt Goss is up

    Time for some more performances and it's time for Matt Goss to show us what he's got.

    Dancing the Quickstep to Sir Duke by The Chris Walden Big Band with his professional dance partner Nadiya Bychkova, Matt takes to the dance floor.

    And it's mixed reviews from the judges. Shirley thinks the performance "fell apart" while Anton thinks there's a lot that's good, but he need to polish the performance.

    Craig, on the other hand liked it and thinks the others are being "nasty." Craig, is that really you? I'm still trying to work it out, but that's great news for Matt!

  • Molly kills it

    Molly's scores are in and it's 7, 8, 8, 8 for the CBBC star, giving her a total of 31 points and knocking Helen off the top spot on the leaderboard - phenomenal!

  • Some more Samba

    Molly Rainford and her pro dancer Carlos Gu take to the dance floor as they perform a Samba to Kiss My (Uh Oh) by Anne Marie and Little Mix, and it's a very upbeat performance from the duo.

    I mean I'm loving it, but what will the judges think?

    "This was the best show for the night!" Motsi declares, as Shirley praises Molly on nailing her performance.

    "Absolutely brilliant!" Anton adds.

    And it's good news all round, as Craig says: "I can't wait to see more, darling!"

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  • Helen and Gorka are up

    Dancing the American Smooth to You Send Me by Aretha Franklin is TV presenter Helen Skelton and her professional dance partner Gorka Marquez, and it's a very impressive start.

    "Love the energy and you do have elegance, my darling!" Craig gushes after the performance, as Motsi and Shirley praise Helen on her first performance.

    "You have a beautiful line," Anton adds, before telling Helen to "own it!"

    Could Helen be the one to watch?

  • Richie rises to the top

    Richie's scores are in and it's 5, 5, 6, 7 for his first dance. That gives him a total of 23 and puts him at the top of the leaderboard - amazing!

  • Richie and Giovanni Cha Cha Cha

    The duo take to the dance floor for their Cha Cha Cha to I'm Your Man by Wham! and we can feel the energy from Richie all the way from home.

    But Craig doesn't like it, calling it "spiky" although he gives full marks for entertainment.

    Motsi wants Richie to listen to the music next time round, but loves Richie's energy.

    Shirley doesn't agree with Craig that Richie was "stiff" as she praises his flexibility, but thinks he needs to take his time.

    So, what will Richie score tonight?

  • James climbs up the leaderboard

    It's 6, 5, 5, 6 for James, giving him a total of 22 points and putting him in joint second place. Not bad!

  • James Jives

    James and Amy are up next and they're doing the jive to What I Like About You by The Romantics.

    Shirley wants James to "breathe" saying he made "too many mistakes."

    Anton liked it though.

    Craig thinks his upper body needs work and he needs to dance with more ease. However, he thinks he did a good job.

    Motsi loved his energy and thinks he was very "economical" with his moves, saying that she thinks we could see a lot from him.

    So, what will he score?

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  • Kaye's scores are in...

    It's 6, 5, 5, 5, for Kaye and Kai giving her a total of 21 points and putting her at the bottom of the leaderboard.

  • Kaye and Kai are up

    Dancing the Rango to Voulez-Vouz by ABBA is Kaye Adams and Kai Widdrington.

    Kai made it to the final last year with AJ Odudu, so the pressure is on for Kaye, who hasn't found practice the easiest.

    To overcome her fears, Kaye has created the alter ego Fifi Latoush, and Fifi is in action wearing a stunning red number as she takes to the dance floor.

    So, what do the judges think?

    It sounds like the nerves might have got the better of Kaye. While Motsi admits she's improved since she last saw her practicing, Shirley says there were quite a few mistakes. Anton is slightly more complimentary, and so is Craig saying that the he thought it would be "dreadful" but he "absolutely loved it!" That might be the nicest thing he's said all evening.

  • Jayde's scores are in

    It's 4, 7, 6, 6 for Jayde putting her in joint first place with Kym on the leaderboard.

  • Samba time

    Jayde Adams and her dance partner Karen Hauer Samba onto the dance floor in some boiler suits as Christina Aguilera's Dirty plays.

    And it's a quick costume change as they rip off their overalls to reveal stunning, glittery dresses and really sink into their moves.

    As their performance comes to an end, the audience gives Jayde a standing ovation, so that's got to be a good thing!

    Well, not for Craig, but Motsi loves it and she praises Jayde for her "contagious" energy while giving her some advice.

    Shirley thinks it's "terrific" and compliments Jayde on her "frame", but she does agree with Craig that the performance was a little "flat-footed."

    Samba isn't Anton's favourite, but he loved it, agreeing that Jayde needs to work on her feet but her upper body is great.

  • So, what's the verdict?

    Tyler's scores are in and it's 4, 5, 7, 6, giving him a total of 22 and putting him in second place on the leaderboard.

  • Tyler West takes to the dance floor

    Tyler West is up next with his professional dance partner Dianne Buswell.

    The pair are doing the American Smooth to Falling by Harry Styles, and the song has already got Tyler feeling a little emotional.

    As they perform their first routine, Tyler shows off his spins and foot work and you'd never know it's first ever performance.

    Shirley's on her feet as the routine comes to an end, which is a promising sign.

    Anton Du Beke is in love calling the performance "gorgeous", although he thinks there's some "problems" that Tyler could work on.

    "Pedestrian" is Craig's choice of word, however, he loved the lift and can see "potential" - wow Craig is that you?

    Despite a few tweaks, Motsi sees "something special" in Tyler and Shirley says any woman would feel "safe" dancing with him, although he could brush up on his footwork.

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