Strictly’s Shirley: It’s a 10 from the Pearson household
Well, at least we know how to restore faith in the Church of England – have the Rev Richard Coles lowered from a cloud into Sunday services, which is how he made his simply divine entrance to the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. “In my mind, I’m Justin Timberlake,” the vicar explained ruefully. “I watch it back, and I’m David Brent.”
“But you did a syncopated Cuban Break over there!” exclaimed new head judge Shirley Ballas with a smile. “I didn’t know I was doing it, but I’m glad you told me,” said the Rev.
That pretty much sums up the Shirley Effect: acres of ballroom expertise matched with a twinkling kindness. There was barely a twinge of nostalgia for Len “Pickle-me-walnuts” Goodman.
It may have been her first outing, but she was quick to let the panel know, in the nicest possible way, who was boss. She corrected Darcey’s comments about Joe Mcfadden’s jive. “I have to slightly disagree with my learner friend…” Ouch, did she mean learned friend?
Despite fears that the celebrities weren’t quite starry enough, it already feels like this could be a vintage year, apart from poor Karen Clifton, who got landed with this series’s wooden spoon, sorry, chef, Simon Rimmer.
Whatever happens, it’s a definite 10 for Shirley Ballas.