Strictly Come Dancing: The biggest talking points from week one, from Bobby Brazier to Angela Rippon

The Glitterball is up for grabs once again...

‘Jaw-dropping’ Angela Rippon wows Strictly audience with incredible high kick as Craig Revell-Horwood moved to tears

It’s back. The BBC’s flagship dance competition series, Strictly Come Dancing, has returned to screens for its 21st series.

The programme has lined up an enviable roster of celebrity guests for the new series, which premiered on BBC One at 6.35pm on Saturday (23 September).

Episodes will continue to air every Saturday, with the acompannying results show airing the following evening.

Among the contestants this year are reality star Zara McDermott and veteran Channel 4 broadcaster Krishnan Guru-Murthy, as well as TV presenter Les Dennis.

You can find the full line-up for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing here.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are returning to present the series, while the judging panel comprises Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas.

Here are the biggest talking points from the first competitive episode of Strictly 2023.

Angela Rippon makes history

The 78-year-old presenter became the oldest contestant to feature on Strictly in this week’s episode... and she certainly didn’t disappoint. Dancing the Cha Cha Cha to “Get the Party Started” by Shirley Bassey with partner Kai Widdrington, Rippon stunned the judges with her flair, defying the years with a fleet-footed performance that Revel Horwood aptly termed “jaw-dropping”.

Bobby Brazier draws tears from his father

Soap actor Brazier was another of the night’s clear highlights, performing an absolutely magnetic foxtrot to McFly with partner Dianne Buswell. The son of the late reality star Jade Goody and TV presenter Jeff Brazier drew high praise from the judging panel, and was seen moving his father to tears, in an affecting emotional moment.

Les Dennis brings the levity

Family Fortunes star Dennis may have finished the night at the bottom of the leaderboard, but it was a performance that stood out for its initmitable sense of fun. Dennis mugged his way through “Don’t You Want Me” by the Human League, with a tango that managed to transcend any technical stiffness on show. Some might see him as the novelty act of the 2023 series, but it’s clear Dennis is trying his best – and the warm comments from the judging panel show that his efforts didn’t go unnoticed.

You can follow along with the first live episode of Strictly Come Dancing 2023 with The Independent’s liveblog below...

Key points

• Meet the contestants for Strictly 2023
• Adam Thomas kicks off episode with dance to Jonas Brothers’ ‘Waffle House'
• ‘Jaw-dropping’ Angela Rippon wows Strictly audience with incredible high kick
• Les Dennis sets amusing tango to The Human League
• The leaderboard at the end of week one

[23 September 2023 18:12 · Louis Chilton]

Not long now! Who are you most excited to see perform?

Anton Du Beke & the Strictly Come Dancing 2023 Professional Dancers (BBC/Guy Levy)

[23 September 2023 18:24 · Louis Chilton]

And it’s live!

[23 September 2023 18:28 · Louis Chilton]

First couple are up: Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk, doing the “Cha Cha Cha” to “Waffle House” by the Jonas Brothers.

[23 September 2023 18:31 · Louis Chilton]

Some nice moves here, Thomas interpolating the “robot” into his pastel-coloured routine.

Praise for his chemistry and personality from the judges.

(BBC)

[23 September 2023 18:31 · Louis Chilton]

“A little bit sloppy all over,” says Craig.

Cue booing from the crowd.

[23 September 2023 18:34 · Louis Chilton]

Four from Craig.

Five from Motsi.

Five from Shirley.

Five from Anton.

Could be worse...

[23 September 2023 18:37 · Louis Chilton]

Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu next, dancing the Tango to “Prisoner” by Miley Cyrus feat Dua Lipa.

Ambitious!

Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu on ‘Strictly' (BBC)

[23 September 2023 18:39 · Louis Chilton]

More savagery from Craig Revel Horwood here.

More booing from the crowd.

The dance goes on...

[23 September 2023 18:43 · Louis Chilton]

Scanlon’s sisters in the crowd... charming stuff.

Three sixes and a five from Ballas for her efforts.

(BBC)

[23 September 2023 18:46 · Louis Chilton]

Next up, it’s Comedian Eddie Kadi, dancing the quickstep to “Two Hearts” by Phil Collins.

His partner will be Karen Hauer.

You can find out more about him here.

Hauer, 41, is Strictly’s longest serving pro dancer, with her tenure on the series dating back to 2012.

She reached the final with Jamie Laing in 2020, but has never won the series. Could Eddie finally be her ticket to glory?