Strictly Come Dancing 2017, week one: Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee and Joe McFadden impress on the dancefloor

Celebrity contestants danced with their professional partners during the live show

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Debbe McGee proved a fan favourite in week one (BBC)

All the sequins. All the glitz. Strictly Come Dancing is back!

It was an emotional night as celebrities including Aston Merrygold, Joe McFadden, Susan Calman, Alexandra Burke and Ruth Langsford took to the dancefloor in week one.

The judges were on top form, with new head judge Shirtey Ballas getting settled in nicely - handling an accidental groping from Bruno Tonioli with style but stumbling a bit with names as she called Chizzy Akudolu "Lizzie".

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Judges Darcey Bussell, Craig Revel-Horwood, and Bruno Tonioli all returned as judges this year. Shirley Ballas, who replaces Len Goodman as Head Judge, following his departure at the end of the 2016 series. But the stars could breathe a sigh of relief: no one goes home in week one. The judge's scores will be carried over to next week, when the audience will get to decide who leaves and who stays.

Dancing on the show: Gemma Atkinson, Casualty, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks star, was paired with Slovenian Alijaz Skorjanec for the Cha-cha. TV, radio and stage performer Debbie McGee — whose late husband Paul Daniels previously appeared on the show — was put with Giovanni Pernice for a steamy Pasa Doble and one of the higest scores of the night.

Holby City’s Chizzy Akudolu was placed with Pasha Kovalev, while This Morning presenter Ruth Langsford and Anton Du Beke were paired together as Ruth's proud husband and co-presenter Eamonn Holmes looked on.

Former JLS member Aston Merrygold teamed up with Janette Manrara, and Reverend Richard Cole was put with newcomer Dianna Buswell.

Eastenders star Davood Ghadami's parner is Nadiya Dychkova, and chef Simon Rimmer was paired with Karen Clifton.

TV presenter Charlotte Hawkins was paired with Brendan Cole for the foxtrot, Mollie King with AJ Pritchard, the wonderful Susan Calman with Kevin Clifton, and Alexandra Burke with Gorka Marquez, who danced a gorgeous waltz to "You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin.

Rounding off the final three pairings are Joe McFadden with Katya Joes, Paralympian Jonnie Peacock with Oti Mabuse, and Brian Conley with Amy Dowden.

So far the strongest-looking contenders are Joe McFadden, Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee and Davood Ghadami. In trouble - or not, depending on how generous the audience feels - are Rev. Richard Cole, Brian Conley, Simon Rimmer and Gemma Atkinson.

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