The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Out of the dales and into the top spot for Fletcher
Actor wows judges with record-setting debut samba along with partner Oti
Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher wowed the judges on Strictly Come Dancing and made history, despite only stepping in at the last minute.
There were high scores and much praise from the judges in the opening week of the BBC show, with top quality first performances from many of the celebrities.
Fletcher replaced Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing after he suffered an injury ahead of the first live show.
Despite limited time to train, Fletcher and partner Oti Mabuse claimed top spot on the leaderboard with their debut dance.
Motsi Mabuse got her first chance to judge her sister when the pair performed.
Casting a critical eye over the steps of her sibling, the show’s new judge was full of praise – as were the other panellists – for the couple’s samba to La Vida Es Un Carnaval by Celia Cruz.
She said: “Kelvin. Are we not happy you stepped in? You have good assets.
“I’m talking about that ooziness in your body. That was so rhythmical.”
The actor earned a score of 32, putting him top of the leaderboard with Mabuse.
According to presenter Claudia Winkleman, it is the highest score ever achieved on Strictly for a first dance.
Fletcher said: “That is the scariest thing I’ve ever done. I could cry.”
Karim Zeroual was quick to show his skills with partner Amy Dowden, earning a score of 31 and taking second place.
The CBBC star, named as the favourite to win the show, was left tearyeyed by the praise of judges following his cha-cha-cha to If I Can’t Have You by Shawn Mendes.
He said: “I’m literally blown away, over the moon.”
In joint third on 30 points were Michelle Visage and partner Giovanni Pernice, along with BBC DJ Dev Griffin and Dianne Buswell.
On the other end of the leaderboard, comedian Chris Ramsey failed to impress in his first week, and was given 13 with partner Karen Hauer.
But in bottom place after the first live Strictly show was Olympic gold medalwinner James Cracknell.
The athlete got just 11 in his attempt at the tango.
Scores will be added to those from the next instalment of Strictly, when the public will be able to vote.