Strictly fans called Krishnan Guru-Murthy a ‘legend’ after his fun Cha Cha Cha during Saturday night’s opening show.
The 53-year-old Channel 4 News presenter took on the dance to Apache Indian’s Boom Shack A Lack, earning 22 out of 40 points with partner Lauren Oakley.
The audience loved the ‘groovy’ performance and predicted that his likable nature would see him go for the competition.
Others pointed out that it was great to see a funnier side of the journalist and presenter, as opposed to his serious appearances on the news.
Someone said on Twitter: ‘I was so ready to cringe but maybe Krishnan will be Bill Bailey this year #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.’
I Love It: Strictly Fans Called Krishnan Guru-Murthy a ‘Legend’ After His Fun Cha Cha Cha During Saturday Night’s Opening Show
Star: The Channel 4 News anchor, 53, took on a Cha Cha Cha to Apache Indian’s Boom Shack A Lack, earning 22 points out of 40 with partner Lauren Oakley
Another simply written: ‘Incredible scenes with Krishnan! #Strict.’
A third said: ‘When you see Krishnan doing the news you don’t see much of their personality but this is what it’s strictly about. Lots of energy…be interesting to see what journey you go through.”
Someone else said, ‘Krishnan has the best song of the night, and the strict singers didn’t kill it! I love him and Lauren together. I think with a little more training he can become quite good. #strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.”
Another said: ‘Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Angela Rippon were my dancing of the night on #Strictly wasn’t what I expected but I loved it.’
A fifth said: ‘Krishnan omg I loved how he will be so entertaining with Lauren.’
Another said: ‘Krishnan is going to be popular… #Strictly.’
It came as Amanda Abbington again dismissed reports of a feud with professional partner Giovanni Pernice as they took to the dancefloor for the show’s first live episode on Saturday.
The actress, 49, described the ballroom professional, 33, as “a little brother” in the pre-recorded VT and said she “loves him already” before admitting she hadn’t “picked things up as quickly as she wanted to.” during rehearsals.
Reaction: The spectators enjoyed the ‘groovy’ performance and predicted that he would go for the competition due to his likable character
Happy: Another said: ‘Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Angela Rippon were my dances of the night on #Strictly wasn’t what I expected but I loved it’
The first live show saw all 15 couples begin their Strictly journey and perform for the first time with Nigel Harmon and Katya Jones at the top of the leaderboard with 32 points and Les Dennis and his partner Nancy Xu at the bottom with a disappointing 16.
Earlier on Saturday, Sherlock star Amanda shared a video on Instagram in which she dismissed rumors of clashes with Giovanni in a foul-mouthed rant.
It follows that she was ‘affected’ by his ‘militant and aggressive’ training style, with tensions escalating between the pair.
But Amanda hit back, saying she was ‘ignoring the bulls***’ as she insisted all was well between her and Giovanni.
The duo then took to the floor as they performed an elegant Viennese waltz to Lewis Capaldi’s Pointless, which earned a respectable 29 points from the judges.
Shirley said: ‘Your fluidity, your sensitivity, your beautiful styling, you have beautiful chemistry, I loved it.’
Anton advised Amanda to relax a bit, saying: ‘It was all wonderful, emotionally wonderful. I want you to breathe. If there were thirty seconds left, I think you might have passed out.”
The actress was supported from the audience by fiancé Jonathan Goodwin and 17-year-old son Joe, whom she shares with ex-partner Martin Freeman.
Jonathan was paralyzed for life in a tragic accident in October 2021, following a stunt in which he tried to escape from a straitjacket while hanging upside down ten meters in the air.
Former EastEnders actor Nigel, 50, emerged as an early favorite to win the show was pronounced by the judge Shirley Ballas as ‘the one to beat’ after he performed an excellent pasodoble with a dance partner Katya Jones.
The Casualty star danced to Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit and received rave reviews from all four judges, receiving a score of 32 out of 40.
Earlier in the episode, fans showered Amy Dowden with support after she was absent from the show as she is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment amid her battle with breast cancer.
Yet the Welsh dragon is still very much a part of the Strictly family, as fans saw her in the 2023 titles, which introduce all the couples at the start of each show, alongside the recognizable theme music.
And fans have now flocked to share their support with the star as they took to Twitter to send her their well wishes.
And Angela Rippon demonstrated her incredible flexibility as she stretched her leg over her head in her first performance.
The announcer, 78, who has made history as the show’s oldest ever contestant, took the floor with professional partner Kai Widdrington, 28, for a very energetic Cha Cha.
Anders: Others pointed out that it was great to see a funnier side of the journalist and broadcaster, as opposed to his serious appearances on the news
Anchor: The star is the face of Channel 4 News after starting his career at the BBC (photo at work)
Later in the show, Zara McDermott looked nothing short of sensational as she took to the glitzy dance floor for the first time.
The Love Island star, 26, sent temperatures soaring in a sparkling white mini dress with sassy cutouts and showed off her stunning figure in all its glory.
Also looking to impress was Bobby Brazier, who gave an emotional performance as he entered the ballroom with partner Dianne Buswell.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman led the evening as they headed to the ballroom in matching black and white outfits.