Strictly Come Dancing 2024 LIVE: Amy Dowden and JB Gill top leaderboard as first live show sees Toyah Willcox struggle
STRICTLY class of 2024 is officially in session after the jam-packed two-and-a-half hour live show.
All 15 celebrity contestants and their professional partners performed for the first time, eager to impress the judges – and while some succeeded, others found themselves struggling.
Topping the scoreboard after the first night was JLS star JB Gill and his pro partner, Amy Dowden with an amazing 31 points.
Amy's return to the dancefloor proved particularly emotional, as she re-entered the competition after completing treatment for cancer.
Love Island's Tasha Ghouri also performed well, as did Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola, who came in joint second place.
However, while some stars soared, others crashed out, with Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones landing at the bottom of the leaderboard with just 12 points.
The pair drew criticism after Neil was accused of lifting the 80s rocker and carrying her through the routine rather than letting her dance.
Pete Wicks and Jowita Pryztal were next on the list with just 17 points, failing to impress with their paso doble to Breathe by The Prodigy – which saw Pete fly onto the dancefloor on wires.
But now the competition really begins, with the 15 celebs having to put the work in to win over the audiences votes.
The first elimination takes place next week.
Stay tuned to our Strictly Come Dancing blog for all the latest updates...
Fans Rave Over Craig’s New Look
Strictly viewers are buzzing about Craig Revel Horwood’s brand new beard!
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), fans couldn’t help but share their thoughts, with one writing: “Bloomin’ hell, Craig Revel Horwood looks like he’s brand new!”
Another added: “Not gonna lie, I find Craig very attractive with his new beard.”
Craig will once again be joined on the judging panel by Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
Double Celebrations
Strictly pro Vito Coppola has had one busy week and a lot to celebrate.
On top of a great start to the series and making it to second place on the leaderboard, Vito was also crowned champion of Celebrity MasterChef on Friday night.
He was quick to celebrate alongside Wynne Evans – who won the series back in 2023 and is now competing in this year’s Strictly.
Looks like pro pal Katya Jones has her pick of people to cook for her in the upcoming months!
A PROUD BOYFRIEND
Tasha Ghouri’s boyfriend Andrew Le Page has shared his pride at his girlfriend doing so well in the first week.
The Love Island star is currently joint second on the leaderboard after a sultry routine to Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter.
Tasha is dancing with Aljaz Skorjanec, who has returned to the show after a three year absence.
Posting a sweet pic after the show aired, Tasha beamed next to her mum and Andrew, with Andrew saying he was “so proud” of her.
Shayne Reaction
Strictly fans had a lot to say about Shayne Ward’s disco look
Specifically that it reminded them of Ross from Friends back when he was in high school.
“Shane looks ready to take rachel to the prom after chip stood her up,” wrote one.
Another noted: “Shayne Ward receiving the 4 from Craig” alongside this iconic pic.
Format Change
Strictly fans noticed a major change to this year’s show as the stars took to the stage for the first time.
Ditching a long tradition, the show chose to ditch the theme tune opening as the new cast of celebs strutted down the double staircase.
Usually, the stars and their pro partners walk down the stairs to Dave Arch and his band playing the live version of the show’s iconic theme tune.
Instead, the show opted to use the same music as the first group number by the pro’s.
Hard To Handle
Strictly fans have slammed the show for being so harsh in the first week to Toyah Willcox.
The star was savaged by the judges after she and Neil Jones performed a tango to Ray of Light by Madonna.
They criticised her for the poor routine and many mishaps, and Neil for lifting her off the floor and carrying her during some of the dance.
Their comments soon translated into scores as Toyah managed to bag an impeccably low score of just 12.
She’s now got a fight on her hands to remain in the competition.
A winning couple?
Before the episode launched, bookies had Tasha Ghouri and Jamie Borthwick in line as the two potential winners for this year’s series.
But after the first live show, it seems there’s a new name in the running in the shape of Sarah Hadland.
Sarah, who is partnered with Vito Coppola, performed a quickstep routine to Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5.
The pair earned the highest first week quickstep score in history as a result, landing joint second on the leaderboard.
Like Craig said: ‘Fab-u-lous’
MORNING RECAP
Good Morning Strictly fans!
After a dazzling first week, here’s what the scoreboard currently looks like:
- JB and Amy = 31
- Tasha and Aljaz = 30
- Sarah and Vito = 30
- Wynne and Katya = 26
- Montell and Johannes = 26
- Shayne and Nancy = 23
- Jamie and Michelle = 23
- Chris and Dianne = 23
- Sam and Nikita = 21
- Dr Punam and Gorka = 19
- Tom and Nadiya = 18
- Nick and Luba = 18
- Pete and Jowita = 17
- Paul and Karen = 17
- Toyah and Neil = 12
These scores will run over to the next week, where the stars will be fighting to remain in the competition.
Public voting is released next week, with the first dance-off and elimination happening next Sunday.
Keep dancing!
Out of Odds?
Here are who bookies Coral have in line to be eliminated first this series:
- 6-4 Paul Merson
- 2-1 Nick Knowles
- 4-1 Punam Krishan
- 7-1 Wynne Evans
- 10-1 Pete Wicks
- 10-1 Toyah Wilcox
- 12-1 Tom Dean
- 14-1 Montell Douglas
- 16-1 Sarah Hadland
- 16-1 Chris McCausland
Here’s hoping some of them can bring themselves back next week!
Place Your Bets Now!
After the first show, Tasha Ghouri has now jumped to being favourite to win – with Chris McCausland also having a massive jump in popularity.
Current favourites to win are:
- 3-1 Tasha Ghouri,
- 7-2 JB Gill,
- 7-2 Chris McCausland
- 8-1 Sam Quek,
- 17-2 Montell Douglas,
- 9-1 Sarah Hadland,
- 12-1 Shayne Ward,
- 14-1 Jamie Borthwick,
- 22-1 Pete Wicks
- 25-1 Wynne Evans
- 25-1 Punam Krishan
- 33-1 Tom Dean
- 66-1 Toyah Wilcox
- 80-1 Nick Knowles
- 80-1 Paul Merson
Shirley’s Strictly Schedule
Shirley Ballas has been embracing her health and wellness this year, and has been aiming to lose some weight.
Her goal was to get into a pair of jeans that she wore when she was 20 years old.
Ahead of the live show, she took to Instagram to share some of the things she did – including an ice cold plunge pool in her back garden.
Couple spotlight: Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał
Pete Wicks has been paired with Jowita Przystał for an exciting partnership this season. They’re set to perform a Paso Doble when the competition kicks off tonight!
Earlier this week, Pete revealed on social media that BBC bosses had given them a gentle nudge for not sharing enough rehearsal footage.
During last weekend’s Strictly launch show, Pete was quick to share his ignorance about dancing with the cameras.
“Strictly, it’s a whole new world because I have absolutely zero rhythm. But I love a challenge,” he said.
Adding: “I think people’s opinion of me is that I’m overly confident but this is going to be the most vulnerable I have ever been and I am petrified. I just want to get past week 1. If I can get past week 2…”
Couple spotlight: JB Gill and Amy Dowden
Strictly Come Dancing fans were brought to tears last week by Amy Dowden’s emotional return to the dance floor following her battle with breast cancer.
Amy waltzed alongside celebrity partner and JLS star JB Gill last night to “When I Need You” by Leo Sayer, with fans already tipping them as one of this year’s favourites.
JB shared his excitement, saying, “I danced in the Strictly Christmas special over a decade ago and loved it, so when I got the call to join Strictly this year, it was an immediate yes from me.
“I’m raring to go and looking forward to showing off some new skills to the JLS boys.”
Couple in focus: Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell
Chris McCausland is celebrated for his standout performances across various TV shows and engaging comedy.
As he embarks on one of the biggest challenges in Strictly history, Chris, who is blind due to retinitis pigmentosa, admitted he has no idea how it’s going to go.
Fans and critics have already praised Chris for his razor-sharp wit, bringing much-needed levity to Saturday’s launch show.
He joked about his new partner Dianne, saying, “She is absolutely over the moon having me because she really wants November off. You’ve got a holiday booked, haven’t you?”
Dianne responded, “I’m so excited and honoured to be your partner. I’m not sure myself how it’s going to work, but we’ll figure it out together.”
Strictly’s new comedic duo performed the Cha Cha to “Twist and Shout” by The Beatles last night
Couple spotlight: Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec
Love Island star Tasha Ghouri has been pushed to her limits this week, sharing a TikTok clip of herself lying exhausted on the floor.
Tasha is paired with Strictly’s “bad boy” Aljaž Škorjanec, who returns to the show after a three-year hiatus. On Saturday, the duo performed the Cha Cha to the summer hit “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter.
Before rising to fame, Tasha, 25, was a professional dancer. However, she has defended her place in the ballroom during interviews with The Sun and other media outlets.
Tasha said, “When you’re in the studio, with the glitterballs and the ballroom floor, it feels like a whole new world.
“Commercial dance is very different from ballroom and Latin, so I’m still having to strip everything down and relearn. Even walking in the Cha Cha step feels weird to me.”
Blind comedian brings much-needed levity to Strictly
The Sun’s TV critic, Ally Ross, argues that whatever comedian Chris McCausland is being paid to participate in Strictly Come Dancing, it’s not nearly enough.
Ross praised Chris, writing, “In under two hours, he didn’t just take the sting out of the bullying scandal; he also eased the torturous grind of the launch show.”
He added, “Chris is one of those rare gems on TV today—a genuinely funny comedian who can truly make an audience laugh.”
EastEnders star declares Strictly curse a no-go
Jamie Borthwick has dismissed any speculation about being this year’s ‘curse’ culprit, despite his reported ‘sizzling’ chemistry with his pro partner.
The EastEnders star is set to hit the dancefloor with Michelle Tsiakkas tomorrow night, performing a Viennese Waltz to Beautiful Things by Benson Boone.
Being matched last week on the pre-recorded launch show, Jamie and Michelle clearly got on like a house on fire, trying to find a nickname for their pairing as they spoke with Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
However, with Michelle happily in a relationship with another dancer, Simone Arena, Jamie has no intention of pursuing anything romantic with his pro partner – in fact seeing her more as a sibling.
He told : “The idea of that whole Strictly curse, well it’s definitely not going to be a thing here because it would be weird doing that with my sister.
“Michelle and I met before Strictly and we instantly had a connection. But she is like a sister, an aunt, a mum, a best friend. She’s looking after me, she’s mothering me.”
Strictly couple has already been ‘told off by BBC bosses’
Pete Wicks and his partner, Jowita Przystał, have reportedly been warned by BBC bosses for breaking a strict rehearsal room rule.
Former Towie star Pete took to social media to explain that he and Jowita had been ‘told off’ for not posting anything on social media together while rehearsing.
Pete shared: “Right, so, we’ve been told off. We’ve been told off because we haven’t done any social media together from rehearsals.
“So today we’re going to do a Q&A. So you can ask Jowita and I anything, and we’re going to answer your questions in our little breaks. There aren’t many breaks, to be honest with you, but we will answer any questions. So you can ask us anything.”
Then, in a sweet response to fans, Pete revealed what his favourite thing about Jowita is.
He replied: “That’s easy for me. She is a little ray of sunshine, and I look forward to coming here everyday. She makes me happy.”
Fans Rave Over Craig’s New Look
Strictly viewers are buzzing about Craig Revel Horwood’s brand new beard!
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), fans couldn’t help but share their thoughts, with one writing: “Bloomin’ hell, Craig Revel Horwood looks like he’s brand new!”
Another added: “Not gonna lie, I find Craig very attractive with his new beard.”
Craig will once again be joined on the judging panel by Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
Pairings recap
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell
Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas
JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE
Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe
Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk
Paul Merson and Karen Hauer
Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał
Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez
Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec
Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova
Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones
Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola
Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones
Double Celebrations
Strictly pro Vito Coppola has had one busy week and a lot to celebrate.
On top of a great start to the series and making it to second place on the leaderboard, Vito was also crowned champion of Celebrity MasterChef on Friday night.
He was quick to celebrate alongside Wynne Evans – who won the series back in 2023 and is now competing in this year’s Strictly.
Looks like pro pal Katya Jones has her pick of people to cook for her in the upcoming months!
A PROUD BOYFRIEND
Tasha Ghouri’s boyfriend Andrew Le Page has shared his pride at his girlfriend doing so well in the first week.
The Love Island star is currently joint second on the leaderboard after a sultry routine to Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter.
Tasha is dancing with Aljaz Skorjanec, who has returned to the show after a three year absence.
Posting a sweet pic after the show aired, Tasha beamed next to her mum and Andrew, with Andrew saying he was “so proud” of her.
Shayne Reaction
Strictly fans had a lot to say about Shayne Ward’s disco look
Specifically that it reminded them of Ross from Friends back when he was in high school.
“Shane looks ready to take rachel to the prom after chip stood her up,” wrote one.
Another noted: “Shayne Ward receiving the 4 from Craig” alongside this iconic pic.