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Song: We Built This City by Starship. The 1985 chart-topper was co-written by Bernie Taupin about the decline of live music venues in LA. It was in Rolling Stone magazine’s Top Ten Worst Songs of the 80s and named the worst song of all-time by GQ, which called it “the most detested song in human history”. Quite an accolade.
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Alan “Deadly” Dedicoat, voice of the lottery balls (and that all-important bonus ball/Thunderball/whatever it is nowadays), announces our couples for the first time this year.
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They emerge onto the fabled Strictly stairs. Paul Merson is dressed as a PE teacher, Wynne Evans as a chef and Nick Knowles as Bob The Builder. Nancy Xu has borrowed Brian May’s hair.
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Donning their judgey smugglers are Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas. Spins, cheesy grins and co-ordinated sit-downs all round.
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Here come our presenting pair, so time to compare their finery. Tess Daly in a red jumpsuit. Claudia Winkleman in a cream drapey thing that looks a little Princess Leia-like. A rare win for Tess.
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We open with the professional troupe showing the terrified new celebrities how it’s done. Choreographed by Jason Gilkison, it’s titled Casa de Fuego (House Of Fire).
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It’s a Latin number with Spanish using flamenco, cha cha, paso doble and salsa moves. Glitterball pro champs from the last two years, Jowita Przystał and Vito Coppola, play the leads. It’s set to El Pañuelo and Despechá by Rosalía and SloMo by Chanel.
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and Vito take centre stage in a group number.”,”caption”:”Jowita and Vito take centre stage in a group number.”,”credit”:”Photo: Kieron McCarron/BBC”}}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1726941801000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”14.03 EDT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1726941881000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”14.04 EDT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1726941881000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”14.04 EDT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”14.04″,”title”:”Pro's Fiery Group Number”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 14:21 EDT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 13:30 EDT”},{“id”:”66ef09e28f086d347dcb6918″,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
First scene-setting, tension-building montage of the series. Welcome back.
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Poor old Paul Merson is bookies’ favourite for first elimination. Just behind is Nick Knowles, with Dr Punam Krishan and Wynne Evans tied in third place.
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Sounds about right to me, but don’t rule out Toyah Willcox either. Just 15 minutes until the glittery curtain comes up…
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Here’s your traditional spotter’s guide to on-screen happenings each week. Tick them off when you spot them! Take a drink for each! Wake up fully clothed! Bring on tonight’s 10 predictions:
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A Chris McCausland gag makes Claudia bark with laughter but confuses Tess
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Male celebrity on the new opening titles does finger guns
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Shirley Ballas thanks the first couple to perform for “opening our show”
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Benched pro Carlos Gu hogs the camera up on the Clauditorium
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Anton pronounces the Brazilian carnival dance as the “saaarm-ba”
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Celebrity mentions Epsom salts/ice baths/deep tissue massage
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Craig’s first negative comment of the series gets booed, so he tells the studio audience to shuddup
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Everyone sings along to Vindaloo but only knows the “na-na-naaa” bit
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Toyah Willcox namedrops an A-list celebrity with whom she’s great showbiz pals
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Tess exclaims “look at your little face!” after a youngish celebrity dances
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Tonight’s 15 numbers include three cha cha chas, two foxtrots, two tangos and two sambas. Overall we’ll see 10 different dance styles. A good, eclectic mix. It’s not long now until showtime…
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A quick reminder of the deal tonight. The couples will be critiqued and marked by the judging panel for the first time but there’s no public vote yet. Instead the judges’ scores will be carried over to next week, when us viewers can vote for our favourites for the first time. It will all be combined and the bottom two are consigned to the dreaded dance-off.
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So our plucky pro-celeb pairs get two chances to impress before anyone is cruelly canned. Any predictions on who it might be? *cough* Paul Merson *splutter*
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First night nerves, anyone? The glitterball is about to start spinning as our couples hit the floor for their first full routines. Gulp.
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Good evening all and welcome to the first live show of Strictly Come Dancing 2024. I’m Michael, your liveblogging dance partner. I hope you’ll watch along with me as this year’s sequin-spangled action kicks off in earnest.
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After last week’s pre-recorded launch show, tonight our 15 newly formed pro-celebrity pairings take to the Elstree Studios ballroom for their first proper dances together. They’ve been toiling away in the training rooms all week, grumbling about their sore feet, marvelling at their sweat patches and trying not to let the all-new chaperones spoil the chemistry. Now we get to see the fruits of their twinkle-toed labours.
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It’s showtime at 7pm on BBC One. I’ll be liveblogging from 6.30pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, analysis, reaction and catty asides. So don flesh-coloured Spanx, slather on some fake tan and see you on the sofa.
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I’d love to hear from you too. You can tweet me @michaelhogan, email me [email protected] and the comments section below is back open for ballroom business. I’ll shimmy down every now and again to gauge your reaction to the show, so please share your thoughts.
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Drinks, nibbles and second screens to hand? I hope so. Nearly time to, yep, staaaaaart dancing!
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Main Events
Happy birthday, Nick. What more could I want at 62 years old, with a chorus from Carlos and a cake thrown in my face?
Judges' comments: Shirley says, “If your toes point out you're ready,” Anton says, “It's uplifting and fun to watch. You have a lot of room to improve but I'm happy for you,” and Craig says, “You're uplifting, lovely, heavy, flat-footed and turned-kneed like a rolled steel beam,” and Motsi concludes, “Be proud of yourself, you look young, agile and ready to go.”
Judges' scores: Three (boo!), five, five, five for a total of 18 points. Nick wins.
Nick and Luba Jive
In the first full routine of the series, the DIY SOS presenter launches into a singing tune about construction. It's a tough opening dance move befitting a 61-year-old hi-vis show; there are flicks and kicks, twists and turns, but it lacks bounce, edge and energy. Luba, a long-time struggler, puts in a passable performance, but unsurprisingly her energy fades towards the end.
song: “We Built This City” by Starship. The 1985 chart-topper was co-written with Bernie Taupin about the decline of Los Angeles' music venues. It was named one of Rolling Stone's top 10 worst songs of the '80s and GQ magazine called it “the most hated song in the history of mankind” and named it the worst song of all time. That's some pretty impressive praise.
Jury Chair Shirley Ballas I declare the 2024 contest officially underway. Is this something new? I think so. Raise your hand if you thought she'd touch on “The Great Unpleasantness” a bit?
Our Strictly stars™
Alan “Deadly” Dedicoat, the voice of the Lottery Ball (and the now very important Bonus Ball/Thunderball/whatever), will be announcing the couple for the first time this year.
They appear on the legendary Strictly stairs. Paul Merson Dressed as a physical education teacher Wyn Evans As a chef Nick Knowles As Bob the Builder. Nancy Shue I borrowed Brian May's hair.
The judges appear
Wearing their Judge smugglers Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton du Beke and Shirley Ballas. Spins, cheap smiles, and coordinated sit-downs are everywhere.
Flock Watch
Now, here comes our pair of presenters, so let's compare their gorgeous outfits. Tess Daly Wearing a red jumpsuit. Claudia Winkleman Looking a bit like Princess Leia in her cream-colored draped dress, it's a rare win for Tess.
Vito has exposed pectoral muscles. This is the second time a hairy chest has been exposed in the first five minutes. I might write to Points Of View.
A passionate group number by a professional
The film begins with a professional theater troupe showing a group of frightened new celebrities how it works. Choreographed by Jason Gilkyson, Casa de Fuego (House of Fire).
It's a Latin-inspired song that incorporates flamenco, cha-cha, paso doble and salsa moves. Glitterball Pro Champion for the past two years, Jovita Pristau and Vito Coppolawill play the lead roles. The songs are “El Pañuelo” and “Despechá” by Rosalía, and “SloMo” by Chanel.
The new title scene is unveiled for the first time. Everyone is laughing and showing off some innovative dance moves. Pete Wicks. From bottom bounce Paul MersonWhat about the guy who isn't running?
