Week 1 - Show 1 Strictly Come Dancing

Live from the BBC, please welcome your hosts. Sir Bruce Forsyth. And

Tess Daly. That's your lot. No more stretch!

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Strictly come to think --

Strictly Come Dancing. It's nice to see you, to see you... Nice! There

is a great line-up this year, even a world-class golfer. I know, Tony

Jacklin. A fantastic golfer. I played with him once. And I beat

him. Really? You beat Tony Jacklin? I remember it well. It all came down

to the last hole. The sun was setting, and I lined up my part. And

then what happened? It went straight through the blades of the windmill.

You are so quick! I never finished the line. No wonder they call it

crazy golf. He went ballistic. The time has come. This is a bumper

weekend of ballroom. It starts right here tonight, and our 15 celebrities

spent three weeks training hard. They are ready to take their very

first steps on this floor. They will perform tonight and then tomorrow

evening the remaining nine couples will have a go. If you listen very

carefully, you can probably hear their hearts pounding. That's me!

Keep going! It is time to meet the stars of our show.

Pop when Seth Sophie and expect to -- Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Brendan

Cole. BBC breakfast presenter Susanna Reid and her partner Kevin

Clifton. England rugby hero Ben Cohen and his partner Kristina

Rihanoff. There they all are. There they all

are, our celebrities and their professional partners. They have

been paired together for three week. Who said it wouldn't last?

Some of them are looking nervous. Some are looking excited. And some

of them are looking for the exit! But the good news is that no

celebrities are leaving this week. But the judges' score paddles will

be making an appearance. And scores will be carried through to next

week, and the couples with the lowest combined scores and public

votes will have to face the dreaded an soph. So let's kick off this

fabulous new series. Our first couple is Ashley Taylor

Dawson and his partner Ola Jordan. Ashley's wife was due to give birth

to their second child yesterday. This is all for real. Ashley, if

there is anything I can do, just let me know. I don't know anything about

childbirth, but if you have to leave, I can have a dance with Ola.

I think she could keep up with me, couldn't you, dear? We might do a

bit of twerking. Here is what they've been up to.

Hollyoaks hunk Ashley Taylor Dawson has always enjoyed healthy

competition. I put in a lot of tennis when I was young, and I

enjoyed it. But then I discovered tennis when I was young, and I

acting, and I wanted to try it. And here I am, covered in sequins, and

I'm dancing on national television in front of millions. I couldn't be

further out of my depth if I tried. My first reaction when I found out

my partner was Ola was sheer delight. When I looked into her

eyes, she made me feel comfortable, so I couldn't be happier. I think

secretly all of the girls wanted to get Ashley. He is very good looking.

Here's to a nice dance! I get up at 6.45. I am on set for the whole day,

and then I go home for the hour, and then I get to the studio and train

until midnight. When you're trying to in all of the step is, and being

tired, I worry my head might burn out. He is pushing himself very

hard, and I can see he is tired. His fiancee is going to give birth any

time soon. So we have to have the phone on all of the time. I thought

that was it then! Is the baby coming? I don't know how I will fit

it all in, but I feel like the luckiest man in the world doing all

it all in, but I feel like the these things. Dancing the cha-cha,

Ashley to the Dawson and Ola Jordan. MUSIC: What makes you beautiful by

One Direction. APPLAUSE

. What an opening of the show! And to

think that could have been me. And of course, we have our judges.

Let's welcome our judges. Just before I forget,

congratulations to Len Goodman, who Just before I forget,

recently got married. And we all hope you and your wife

spent many happy years together pickling your walnuts. What else is

there to do? Len, now you're good lady is a good man. I was up all

night thinking of that. Start us off. Your leg action could have been

a little straighter. Could have been a little crisper hereunder. Some

will be smooth sailing, others will sink without trace. Ashley, sale

on! Bruno, what did you think? Ashley, you looked surprisingly at

ease on your hands and knees. And your face when you were admiring

Ola's behind, that was a picture! And you should be happy, because

your timing was very good. You have to work on your foot placement and

your hips, but first out, well done. Now, Craig. I thought you had a good

amount of rhythm. But your hip is our extremely stiff. There is

nothing going on there. The footwork was feral. You missed a catch in the

middle of that whole thing, and you need to straighten your legs. When

you do that body roll, you need to go through the entire body, darling.

The good point is you are easy on the eye.

Right. Darcey? It was a very confident first dance. Really

impressive. You obviously really enjoy dancing with Ola. The only

thing I would say, when you do a turn, don't look to the floor. I was

a bit worried, make sure you keep up, keep the eye level up. But if

you start like this, you will do very well.

A wonderful start to the show! Well done, both of you.

Very confident first dans, said Darcey. How did it feel being the

first couple? It was very scary. High alert anyway, your wife is

about to give birth. Not an easy time. We're waiting for the phone

call. If you have to leave, we understand. Ola, how has he been as

a partner? Absolutely brilliant. The scores are in.

First dans up the series and we get seven from Len. Very happy. They

have done the cha-cha-cha into the competition. No one is leaving us

tonight but the judge's scores will carry over to next week and then we

will find out which couples will face the dance off.

The next couple is Tony Jacklin and his partner Aliona Vilani. They are

going to do a waltz. It is based on a railway station goodbye. It is the

same old story, boy meets girl. The girl gets on the train. Boy waves

goodbye from the platform. Girl waits on the train. Girl keeps

waiting on the train. And then about an hour and a half later, she is

told to leave the train to go outside and catch a replacement bus

service! APPLAUSE

This is what they have been up to. As the first golfer ever to tee off

on Strictly, you would have thought Tony Jacklin would have a fair way

to go to fit in. I used to like wearing bright things on the golf

course and standing out. I never minded dressing up for the

competition. More sparkle the better. Aliona is the consummate

professional. I have no doubt her standards are very high. Tony gave

me a nice kiss on the cheek. I am sure there is a Fred Astaire in

there. I have seen him dance and he has a natural swing in his hip, but

his footwork will need a lot of work. I know Aliona won the

competition two years ago and I don't want to let her down. Tony is

based in Florida, so the first rehearsal takes place at home. The

professionals make it look easy. There is much more to it than meets

the eye. Squeeze those thighs together. Tony is a fighter. He is

struggling but he is not giving up. With her patience and my

perseverance, we will get this done. Aliona has been very patient and I

will treat her to a trip out to my club and it is a few balls. Nice and

wide and smooth. Fantastic! Wonderful stuff. Now what? Now,

let's do some dancing. I love the Florida lifestyle, but the United

Kingdom -- I am coming home. Dancing the waltz, Tony Jacklin and

Aliona Vilani. MUSIC: "Hernando's Hideaway".

Aliona Vilani. Come here, Tony.

Well done. While you get your breath back, there is a chance to welcome

our fabulous singles, David Arce and his wonderful orchestra. -- singles.

We can see the wonderful bands, we can see you all. I don't know if it

is such a good idea, but anyway. Bruno? The waltz, sentimental,

romantic, floating and soft. I didn't see much of that. But there

were some moments. You were swinging around, happily. Skipping. But it

was a second and venue turned into a collaborative is toy toys. I think

it was because of nerves. I could see you accounting and thinking so

much about it you stopped moving. Let yourself go. Make a mistake, but

follow the flow. She is a great dancer. It is the first time. They

are so courageous to come out here in the first place. Now, Craig? You

became the hunchback. It was littered with errors and mistakes.

It just got worse and worse towards the end. You were not leading, a bit

of a disaster, I would say. This boy has got you really just where he

wants you. If only you did have a golf ball. Darcey, darling. I know

what it is like when nerves get the better of you. It is terrifying. I

know how you feel, but you have got it out of the way. You will come

back to confident Tony we know. The competitive Tony. Show as many moves

I know you have up your sleeve next week. People don't believe how

difficult it is to come out and do this. You are the spirit of this

show. No dancing experience. Coming out and having a go. This is the

show. No dancing experience. Coming first week, you are trying to

remember the routine, trying to get through it. I say, well done! Thank

you so much. I know Tony joins me and all European golfers in wishing

Bernard Gallacher a speedy and full recovery. Thank you, Aliona will

stop off you go. We agree with Len Goodman up here.

Those judges were being very harsh for the first night. Lots of

nervous, you have left the Florida sunshine to be here in Elstree, was

it worth it? I feel as hot as I do in Florida. It is fine. It is an

adventure. Indeed. Aliona, has he done you proud? Very proud. He has

worked so hard, I have never seen done you proud? Very proud. He has

anybody sweat so much. He is going to wipe his face on Craig's shirt.

Can we have the scores please? Extreme. Tony has teed off, I think

he will head to the 19th hole for a well-deserved tipple. Will the

others find themselves in the rough? Next is a mark Benton and his

partner, and veteran Lucas shooter. Did you get that? Mark Benton has

appeared in films. I said my favourite film was The Wizard Of Oz.

He asked me why. I said, " because, because, because". Here is what they

have been up to. I grew up in Grangetown in the Middle East. My

uncle was an actor and I wanted to be like him. Coming from that

background, I never thought I would end up dressed like this. I want to

get fit and lose a bit of weight. Looking at the training, I don't

get fit and lose a bit of weight. think there is any way I cannot it

was a complete shock when I found think there is any way I cannot it

out my partner. I want our dancers to be memorable. She is funny. I am

going to work him so hard, in two weeks he will have a figure like

mine. I will be dancing with her, what a shame! Somebody has got to do

it. That was good. There is much more to it than you think. When she

is doing it, she makes it look so simple. He said, I will try

everything. I will get it if it kills me. For the last nine months I

am used to dancing around in make up with a wig and heels. I am doing Her

Spray. . I do dance on the stage, so I want her to come and see me in

that. As I am all dressed up, why don't we have a dance. I knew this

would be tough, but it is a killer. I want to do the tango as it should

be done. Come on the big man! Dancing the tango, Mark Denton.

How about this man? That was lovely, Mark. And the face said it all.

Craig? The Tango should be sharp, it should have intent and purpose. The

intent and purpose was good. However, the right thumb, darling.

That bothers me. You are picking up your feet and jumping about, which

is not great. Hand shaping needs a little attention. But I thought you

danced it actually rather well. APPLAUSE

I'm glad we started with Craig! Darcey? Brilliantly played. You are

going to be the most brilliant entertainer for us. I was a little

worried at the beginning, when your chin got stuck to your chest. But as

soon as you got in to hold, you were strong and masculine. And you were

in control of your woman. It was fab. I am well impressed. And I saw

a Len Goodman jumping up and down! As he came out, I thought, this is

going to be like a sneeze. You know it is coming, but there is nothing

you can do. But Mark, you had attitude! Recognisable steps

throughout the dance, a lovely story going on. Your frame was OK. And I

am shocked how good that was. Well done! APPLAUSE

And finishing up with Bruno. I loved the way you set up the

scene. It was like a tango with a comedic twist. You had so much

content in there, but Craig is right. You cannot step the Tango,

you have to drive through the foot and keep this proud Latin attitude

through it. Great performance. Well done indeed. Iveta, away you go.

What about that? My mouth is so dry. The best Tango face ever, quite

properly. Can we have a replay? As an actor, you must have been right

at home with the drama of it. It was great fun to do. And Len Goodman was

shocked how good it was, and Craig said it was really good, so well

done. I knew it about the thumb! If that is all you have to worry about,

you are doing really well. The scores.

Not bad at all. We will get you danced fit. Three more couples to

perform this evening. Anybody want to see some more?

CHEERING I know I do.

Who's next? Our next couple is Susanna Reid and her partner, Kevin

Clifton. In this dance, Susanna is a breakfast presenter, and Kevin is

her floor manager. A floor manager's job is to tell the present

of where to stand, and tell them when the camera is on them.

Basically, his job is to stop the presenter looking like an idiot. I

wish we had one on this show. Here's what they've been up to.

Now in the spotlight, broadcaster Susanna Reid is feeling Strictly out

of this world. I feel like I have landed in a sequinned glitter ball

rocket, and the air feels slightly different. It only seems about five

minutes ago I was sat at home in Grimsby watching Susanna on the

telly. Now I am dancing with her. All the professional dancers have

the ability to turn on a bit of sex appeal. I am looking forward to

bringing out the other side of her, the sassy, sparky side. That's a bit

different! The headline is we're throwing you in at the deep end.

Good evening. Breaking news from the training room. I am Susanna Reid,

and this is my professional partner, Susanna Clifton -- Kevin Clifton.

How a Youga to turn me into a dancer? We are having a lot of fun,

and Kevin is the expert, so it is natural for me to interview him.

When did you first start dancing? You finding it?

Was it because your sister was doing it? Question, answer, question,

answer. And finally, what is Craig Revel

Horwood going to think of our dance? It was a little less ballroom

and a little more newsroom, darling. This is Susanna Reid on the sofa in

the training room, frankly terrified.

Dancing the jive, Susanna Reid and Kevin Clifton.

What are you up to, Susanna? ! You could never do that with Bill

Turnbull. Was not a news flash? Gracious, that was wonderful.

Darcey, what did you think? Wow, Susanna! You really sold me that

drive -- jive. High energy and style all the way through. You didn't lose

it. I would just recommend maybe try a low heel, see you get more bounce

with those needs. But I can't wait to see what you do next week!

APPLAUSE Wonderful.

The BBC is proud of you. Len? You got one of the hardest dances to do

one week one. That was chicken soup to the eyes. It was tasty,

satisfying, did me the world of good. I thought you did it's

terrific. Fabulous. Very courageous to do that the first

week. Who's idea was it? The king of jive! Read all about it! This girl

can shake it! No more sofa for you. You have a fantastic stage presence,

and your energy was incredible. You have to be sharper on the kicks and

flip is. One from the hip and the other from the knee. But I'm telling

you, as the first one out, again, fantastic.

Now, Craig? Please don't spoil it. Now for the cold hard truth,

darling. Every step was extremely laboured. Don't raise your shoulder

when your arm goes up. I thought it was a little bit heavy looking at

times. And I would never have attempted that cartwheel, because

that went horribly wrong. But on a positive note, the energy and

personality were fantastic. Sublime. APPLAUSE

If you are going to kiss anybody, Kiss me!

You have done the BBC proud. Off you go.

You got a standing ovation for your very first dance, I don't think that

has ever happened before. Thank you to Kevin who is absolutely

brilliant. He just kind of dragged me through it. You looked like you

are having the time of your life. It me through it. You looked like you

was brilliant, I really enjoyed it. Yes, that was awesome. How do you

fit all that training around your schedule. 3am alarm calls, three

children. I don't know how you did it. The scores are in.

28, congratulations. That is a great first score. Four down, two to go.

Will Sophie and Natalie make the front pages, or will they be

tomorrow's fish and chips paper. The other couples will make their

debuts tomorrow night. Our fifth couple is Sophie

Ellis-Bextor and her partner Brendan Cole.

For their dance, they are recreating a scene from that brilliant film

Breath -- breakfast at Tiffany is. They are going to have a full moon

in the background. Their song will be Moon River. I hope that as a

special effect and not a wardrobe malfunction. Here is what they've

been up to. Pop royalty is Sophie Ellis-Bextor is hoping to become the

queen of the ballroom. I dance the whole time on stage, I don't dance

particularly well, I just shimmy around. A big part of ballroom

dancing is the chemistry between you and your partner. That doesn't come

easy to me. The only man I have really danced with is my husband.

Brendan has very nice manners, but he's not my husband. So that is a

little bit alien. I had a schmaltzy moment when I was being twirled

around and there was a glitter ball and I thought, I love this! For this

waltz, we want sophisticated, beautiful, elegant. When I have said

to be poor I'm doing a Walt is, they say, you will find it quite easy to

be elegant, but that isn't me. So what is my character? Who is she?

For me, she's just the epitome of feminine.

It's kind of hard to know what she's going to be like on the show day.

Stop standing on my feet! If we run through it three times, there may be

one when I feel I am approaching the through it three times, there may be

right shape, and the other two was more like the real me. So I hope I

get the right one on the night. APPLAUSE

Dancing the Walt, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Brendan Cole.

they liked it very much. It was lovely. You did not want to do that,

you wanted to do something a bit livelier? I normally stamp. It was

quiet, understatements, I loved the fluidity. You lifted your feet of

the floor. You have got a lovely neck. But the actual beauty of the

the floor. You have got a lovely dance was gorgeous. You wanted to

stamp on the floor. Grunow? We could sense the Laura of sophistication.

So Byrne. You have got the mood right. Going right... It was

beautiful. You have got to work to extend the top line. I liked it. It

was the first dance. Craig? It is the top line letting you down. That

would have been beautiful if you did not ruin it with the top half. What

are you on about? Your favourite songs should be I Can't Get No

Satisfaction. Darcey? It was beautiful. You carried it off.

Beautiful. You should be very happy. Brendan, you have got a good one.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE what a first bands. Your mum was in

the audience and was crying. You looked so Serena and so graceful,

what was going through your head? Trying to enjoy it, remembering the

notes. I don't just want to get through it, I want to enjoy it. It

is a lovely thing, dancing. What an amazing thing, we are all going

is a lovely thing, dancing. What an through an incredible thing. Did you

enjoy it? I really, really did. I was petrified, but I did not throw

up. Now the scores. I could not the more proud. She is a

tremendous partner. Two nights of Strictly, back-to-back. Give him a

tissue. If that is not enough sparkle, join us on Facebook and

Twitter. Get to our website the backstage gossip. He is moved. Back

to Bruce. Now, for final couple this evening, the former Coronation

Street star, Natalie Gumede and her partner. I haven't watched

Coronation Street for quite a while. I do apologise for that, mightily,

how is Ena Sharples? Give her my love. Here is what they have been up

to. Actress, Natalie Gumede is no stranger to two an active

performance. Live performance is nothing like working in television.

If something goes wrong you cannot do it again. I am feeling Compleat

terror and nausea, but I cannot wait to be out there. Artem is a

self-proclaimed Russian terminator. His introduction to me was, " don't

cry on a Saturday night" . This is an exciting process to see how far I

can be pushed. She is perfect, she is a bit feisty. She might be the

one I am going to be scared of. I am having a cup of tea because Artem is

late. It is not Goodenough. When I walked in, Natalie was ready to go.

Let's get started. It felt like, she was more ready than I am. Again,

gain! The chat chat is very tough. I am working to my absolute limits.

You want to work hard, here we go. One more time, Artem. One more time.

He is dying inside. I don't think he is used to anybody else taking the

lead. I have not made it all the way through the dance yet, I hope it

goes OK on the night. Dancing the chat chat is Natalie Gumede and

Artem cheap vent serve Natalie, a standing ovation. Artem,

my goodness that was fantastic! Bruneau?

With that attitude, sexy, sensuous and lyrical arms at the same time,

you will go far. But more hip action and be careful of your foot

placement with the chat chat. You are a brilliant answer and so far

the front runner. He does not say that to everybody. Darcey? I was not

expecting that much detail in your first dance. The finish, eye contact

with both of you was brilliant. I cannot wait to see what you will

bring out next. It was clean, precise and have style and rhythm.

Craig is right, you do need to get a bit more hip action going especially

when you come to some of the Latin dances. But fabulous, well done. A

Russian chat chat. I thought you would do some cobblers. Cossack

dancing. Maybe I am talking a load of cobblers. Don't worry about it.

The chat chat your from Russia. What are you like in training? You

have met your match? I think so, yes. Let's get the scores.

You have got to be happy with that? Absolutely, I am shocked. Artem,

Russia's greatest love machine. We are back tomorrow and are remaining

nine stars brave the dance floors for the very first time.

I didn't even look. I am so happy. What is that? It is my new thing for

today. I don't know where my head is supposed to be. It sounds as though

your shoes are crying. In, out, in, out. That was all over the shop.

This is commonly alien to me. Look into my eyes.

Did you notice what happened there? You missed it.

Well done. Incredible. The gauntlet has been throw-down and still have

Well done. Incredible. The gauntlet nine more performances to come. Six

of couples have kicked off their dancing shoes, tomorrow we have the

owner, Vanessa and then Rachel, Patrick, Abbey, Dave and Debra. They

will show us what they have got. It will be a spectacular night. We will

be back tomorrow night at 7pm, so have an early dinner, pick your spot

on the sofa and brace yourselves for another night of ballroom. Keep

dancing!