HomeTVStrictly Come Dancing 2014 week 1 show 1 recap

Strictly Come Dancing 2014 week 1 show 1 recap

Strictly Come Dancing returned to our screens tonight to properly kick off the action for the 2014 series.

The first of two live shows this weekend, tonight saw 6 of the 15 couples take to the ballroom for the first time and show off what theyā€™ve learned over the past 3 weeks. Following the launch show earlier this month, the celebrities have been hard at work with their pro partners preparing for their ballroom debut.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman helmed the show tonight after being handed the Strictly baton by Sir Bruce Forsyth during the launch show. Weā€™re glad the BBC decided to stick with Tess and Claudia as theyā€™ve proven themselves to be more than capable of handling the show between them.

Of course Bruno Tonioli, Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood and Darcey Bussell resumed their roles as judges casting an eye over the couples and offering up their usual mix of critiques.

Caroline Flack & Pasha Kovalev

Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev
Credit: BBC

In her intro VT TV presenter Caroline Flack said there was something about Pasha Kovalev that made her notice him when they first met; we wonder what that was? Pasha is confident that Caroline could go all the way in the competition. For their first dance Caroline & Pasha performed a cha cha cha and in training Caroline was struggling with her dance face often looking a bit too serious.

The dance: A great first dance from Caroline and what an opener for the show. Full of energy and the technique looked great. A very funky cha cha cha to the Jackson 5ā€™s Can You Feel It. Colour us impressed.

The comments: Len said itā€™s ā€˜always nice to start the night with a glass of champagneā€™ and called her ā€˜Sweet Carolineā€™. Bruno said it was ā€˜Caroline Flashā€™ and told Caroline that her arms were impressive. Craig said Caroline had ā€˜great musicalityā€™ but told her that some of her lines ā€˜need finishing properlyā€™. Darcey called Caroline a natural performer and a natural dancer complimenting her ā€˜lovely legsā€™.

The score: 27 out of 40

Tim Wonnacott & Natalie Lowe

Natalie Lowe and Tim Wonnacott
Credit: BBC

Bargain Hunt presenter Tim Wonnacott told viewers not to count him out just because heā€™s the oldest contestant. Partnered with Natalie Lowe, Tim seemed to have a ball in training and was full of energy. Natalie surprised Tim during the filming of Bargain Hunt before they got back to some serious training. To kick off the series Tim and Natalie danced the cha cha cha.

The dance: Well that was an interesting take on a cha cha cha. Tim walked around the dancefloor for most of the routine but Natalie was fantastic. The judges looked a bit bemused. Could this be the new Dave Myers?

The comments: Bruno said he appreciated Timā€™s ā€˜sense of confidenceā€™ and told him ā€˜if you can sell this, you can sell anythingā€™. Craig said he didnā€™t enjoy it telling Tim ā€˜your gait is extremely wide and you look like youā€™re wearing a soiled nappyā€™. Darcey said dancing is about being entertaining and told Tim she ā€˜loved itā€™. Len said Timā€™s footwork wasnā€™t ā€˜too cleverā€™ but commended him for giving it everything.

The score: 18 out of 40

Jake Wood & Janette Manrara

Jake Wood and Janette Manrara
Credit: BBC

EastEnders actor Jake Wood was the third celebrity to dance tonight and he admitted that heā€™d been told by co-star Jo Joyner that he has a ā€˜grandad danceā€™. Jake is paired with Janette Manrara for the series and the two have been practising their tango in the training room. In preparation for their dance Janette told Jake to tap into his EastEnders character Max Branning.

The dance: A good effort from Jake with the tango. The moves were all there but he needs to loosen up a little and not look quite so serious. We expect heā€™ll relax into it as the show progresses and the audience loved the performance giving him a standing ovation.

The comments: Craig said he was impressed and that the routine was full of ā€˜intent and purposeā€™. Darcey said it was ā€˜coolā€™ and admitted she was shocked at how easily he took to the dance. Len said Jake was ā€˜far betterā€™ than he expected and called the dance ā€˜terrificā€™. Bruno said Jake ā€˜took care of business beautifullyā€™ but told him he wants to see his softer side.

The score: 28 out of 40

Judy Murray & Anton du Beke

Anton du Beke and Judy Murray
Credit: BBC

Tennis trainer Judy Murray seemed pleased as punch with her pro partner Anton du Beke. In her intro VT the two were seen laughing and joking around and Anton headed up to Scotland for training. Judy admitted she wasnā€™t the most graceful person which may prove difficult considering sheā€™s kicking the series off with a waltz.

The dance: Weā€™ve never seen a Scottish-themed waltz before but Judy and Anton tailored it to suit Judyā€™s heritage. It was a nice enough performance with Judy getting all of the steps right but weā€™re more interested in seeing her in the Latin dances if she progresses in the series.

The comments: Darcey said she could see Judyā€™s nerves coming through. Len said the footwork was good but the posture wasnā€™t great. Bruno said it was like a flight that hit turbulence and told her to enjoy it more next week. Craig said he was on the edge of his seat because he felt Anton was ā€˜dragging Judy around a bitā€™.

The score:Ā 18 out of 40

Scott Mills & Joanne Clifton

Joanne Clifton and Scott Mills
Credit: BBC

Radio DJ Scott Mills is partnered with new pro Joanne Clifton for this series. In his VT he admitted that everything about the show scares him and revealed that heā€™s not a dancer. Joanne said that sheā€™s delighted to be paired with Scott and determined to turn him into a dancer. For his Strictly debut Scott is doing a cha cha cha and during training he was getting the moves right but struggling with the flow of the moves.

The dance: Scottā€™s debut was a fun routine and Joanne did a great job but heā€™s not a natural mover is he? We admire the energy he gave the routine but heā€™ll need to up his game to progress in the competition. It was a little all over the place for a cha cha cha.

The comments: Len said it was a dance that would be ā€˜better on the radioā€™ and told Scott his ā€˜footwork was poorā€™. Bruno said ā€˜the vibe was there but it didnā€™t travel down to the feetā€™. Craig said ā€˜a zimmer frame has more movement than I saw thereā€™ and told Scott he was ā€˜lifting his knees like he was having a tantrumā€™. Darcey said there was a ā€˜cheeky connectionā€™ between Scott and Joanne but told him she was impressed with his attack.

The score:Ā 16 out of 40

Pixie Lott & Trent Whiddon

Pixie Lott and Trent Whiddon
Credit: BBC

Popstar Pixie Lott said in her VT that sheā€™s used to performing but sheā€™s usually hiding behind her microphone. Paired with new pro Trent Whiddon, Pixie managed to hit him in the face early on in training. Ouch! The two are performing a jive for their first dance and weā€™ve got very high expectations from them.

The dance: A confident and energetic first performance from Pixie but weā€™d expect nothing less from the popstar. Weā€™re fairly sure sheā€™ll cause an outcry of ā€˜unfairā€™ from the audience but we enjoyed her performance. She could have had a bit more movement in her legs but for a debut pretty good.

The comments: Bruno said it was a ā€˜great, great performanceā€™ and told her it was a ā€˜great debutā€™. Craig said that the ā€˜energy was fantasticā€™ but he noticed an error in the middle. Darcey said ā€˜wonderful energy and actionā€™ but told Pixie she could have had more leg action and bounce. Len said ā€˜lots of marks because I think thatā€™s terrificā€™.

The score: 27 out of 40

The leaderboard

The leaderboard for tonight was:

Jake Wood and Janette Manrara – 28
Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev – 27
Pixie Lott and Trent Whiddon – 27
Judy Murray and Anton du Beke – 18
Tim Wonnacott and Natalie Lowe – 18
Scott Mills and Joanne Clifton – 16

Strictly Come Dancing continues tomorrow night at 7pm on BBC One. Take a look at our gallery to see images of tonight’s couples in dress rehearsal earlier today:

Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip is the owner and Editor of Entertainment Focus, and the Managing Director of PiƱata Media. With over 19 years of journalism experience, Pip has interviewed some of the biggest stars in the entertainment world. He is also a qualified digital marketing expert with over 20 years of experience.

Must Read

Advertisement