Strictly Come Dancing: Nigel Harman brings house down with epic Paso Doble as he closes first live show

Da da da dah da da dahhh, etc. It's Strictly Come Dancing week one and we are so excited. Make sure you follow along with our live blog right here where we'll be bringing you the highlights from the first live show of the series.

So, who will impress the judges the most with their moves? Will Craig Revel Horwood manage to crack a smile? Will there be any 10s? The excitement is reaching an all-time high.

© Guy Levy

Do follow along with me and tweet me your thoughts, scores, questions and more! @FAShillcock 

What an intro that was! I can practically feel the buzz all the way from Elstree as I sit here on my sofa ready to give my best *ahem* armchair critique.

A Cha Cha Cha is notoriously hard but our Waterloo Road lad, Adam nailed it! We saw stretched legs and plenty of energy, and that killer smile. Go, Adam!

Shirley mentioned how good the chemistry was between him and Luba, but said the footwork needed a bit of polishing. All in good time, Shirley! 

Adam's score: 19

© Ray Burmiston

Okay, Angela, we see you! That Tango had plenty of attack. For week one?! Come on now. She's going to go far we think. Angela said it was "bonus" that she hadn't headbutted Carlos mid-dance - ouch. We're not sure how that would have gone down...

Angela's score: 23

Oh, Craig, it IS week one remember? Okay, yes, his shoulders were forward, but we couldn't keep our eyes off his smile. Eddie is swiftly becoming one of our favourites, what a guy!

Eddie's score: 22

I mean, wow. Shirley and Motsi were on their feet. As was I. The Cha Cha Cha is not easy for anyone, let's be honest, but Angela came through and showed us all how it's done. That leg extension will go down in history!

Angela's score: 28

The first slow dance of the series and what a beauty it was! We love Nikita and Gorka's vibe together and there's better than watching a waltz on Strictly. The judges, I think, were a bit harsh. We can definitely see potential with Nikita!

© Guy Levy

Nikita's score: 18

A samba? On week one, you say? If there's anyone who can handle it, it's Layton Williams. It's no secret that Layton is a former dancer but he says he's never done ballroom or Latin before. Well, you couldn't tell! I was LIVING for that performance. A place in the final? I don't want to speak too soon, but…

Layton's score: 29

Motsi was quick to praise Zara for "owning" her performance of the Cha Cha Cha and I quite agree. In terms of technique, the judges reckon Zara has a bit more to work on but we only saw energy, attack and plenty of sass! Craig giving it a three?! Well, I practically threw my remote at the telly.

© BBC

Zara's score: 19

If I'm completely honest, I'm not sure I have the words.

I'll leave you with the words of Craig Revel-Horwood, "stuck to the floor like velcro." 

As you were.

© Guy Levy

Les score: 16

Ellie's reaction when she found out she had the Jive was absolutely hilarious. But the actress clearly had no reason to fear one of hardest dances in the Strictly playbook because she NAILED it. The timing? The pointed feet? Keeping up with Vito's energy? All of that for week one is a recipe for a Strictly finalist.

© Ray Burmiston

Ellie's score: 29

Our former champ knows how to get the best of her student! We loved Jody's Quickstep, there was so much personality and he seems like such a likeable guy. Also, his timing was pretty good, right?

Jody's score: 21

That's a Hollywood smile, right there. Bobby brought his A-game and pearly whites to his performance and we couldn't have loved it more. He and Dianne as a partnership make so much sense and we can see them going pretty far!

The judges were complimentary, too. Motsi said his dancing said so much more because of his energy and that it gave her goosebumps. We love to see it!

© Guy Levy

Bobby's score: 29

Game, set, match! Annabell hit the Cha Cha Cha out of the park. We couldn't love her and Johannes as a partnership more and we can't wait to see what more she brings.

Annabell's score: 28

The second Waltz of the night had Shirley on her feet and Anton so flustered he forget her name. We can see Amanda and Giovanni going quite far in the competition.

Craig, of course, sparked some boos from the studio audience for saying it was a bit too "hard". No, we're not sure what he means either.

Amanda's score: 29

What's with everyone doing the Cha Cha tonight? Anyway, I digress. Let's give it up for Lauren making her Strictly debut and with Channel 4 legend Krishnan Guru Murthy, no less.

Was the technique there? Erm, not completely. But we were beaming throughout? YES! Go on, Krishnan, you've got our vote. We LOVED it!

© Guy Levy

Krishnan's score: 22

Well, okay! Nigel Harman was giving major dark horse vibes with that Paso Doble. Fans were loving his epic routine alongside Katya Jones on social media and Craig even said: "Well, I wouldn't want to be in the competition with you around."

He's closed the show AND topped the leaderboard. Job's a gooden. Are we looking at a Strictly 2023 finalist?!

Nigel's score: 32

© Guy Levy

How epic was that first live show? We are loving this year's line up and everyone, in their own way, was brilliant. Our highlights were Ellie Leach, Layton Williams, Krishan Guru-Murthy and Nigel Harman. Let us know what you think!

Don't forget to tune in next week for the second week of live shows and keeeeep dancing!

© Guy Levy