REBECCA SHEARER

Strictly 2019 kicked off this weekend with all 15 celebrities taking to the dancefloor to prove just how nimble they are on their feet. And for some, it’ll be a relief it’s a non-elimination week.

Some celebs took to the ballroom styles like ducks to water, such as Kelvin Fletcher, who took the lead with a whopping 32 points out of 40 for his samba with partner Oti Mabuse.

But they weren’t alone at the top as Michelle Visage, Dev Griffin and Karim Zeroul scored 30, 30 and 31 points respectively – high scores for the debut show that may prove detrimental for them in later weeks as they try to maintain that standard.

Bringing up the rear was James Cracknell, who scored a painful 11 out of 40 and spent the whole 90 seconds of his dance looking like his partner Luba had stolen him from Madame Tussauds. Sadly for us we have to sit through his dancing again next week, along with the next “best” scorer, comedian Chris Ramsey (13 out of 40) who maybe shouldn’t give up the day job after his cha-cha-cha turned into more of a nah-nah-nah.

Some surprises on the night were so-called “dad dancer” Mike Bushell being more dancer than dad with his jive routine, the fact that favourite-to-be-the-worst Anneka Rice wasn’t bottom of the board with her score of 14, and David James’ ankle socks during the rehearsal shots.

If it had been an audience vote I wonder whether the story would’ve been the same, for the British public is very possessive of its favourites. Low scorers Cracknell and David James (17 out of 40), who’ve made it to the top of their sport professions, would have undoubtedly been saved. Only time will tell how much of an impact these dances will have on their fate when we return next week.