BBC Strictly Come Dancing star causes 'huge shake-up' after first live performance

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on Strictly Come Dancing
-Credit: (Image: BBC)


One Strictly Come Dancing star is said to have caused a 'huge shake-up' following the first live performances of the series. The hit BBC One dance contest returned earlier this month with the pre-recorded launch show.

But on Saturday night (September 21) was the night that the competition really got underway as all 15 of the new Strictly couples performed together for the first time followed by the judges' comments and scores.

Despite there being no dance-off and elimination this weekend, a leaderboard was still revealed at the end of the night with JLS star JB Gill and Amy Dowden topping the scoring so far after their first performance, the pair were awarded 31 points by the judges for their waltz to When I Need You by singer Leo Sayer.

READ MORE: Zara McDermott speaks out after her BBC Strictly Come Dancing return spotted with 'quick' move

Just one point behind was Love Island’s first deaf contestant Tasha Ghouri who was given 30 points from the judges after her performance with dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec after she appeared on top of a giant coffee cup to kick-off her Cha Cha to Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter.

And joining Tasha and Aljaz in joint second position was Miranda star Sarah Hadland and last year’s Strictly winner Vito Coppola after their dance to Dolly Parton’s 9 To 5, with co-host Claudia Winkleman revealing it was the highest score a quickstep had received in week one of the competition ever.

But 80s icon Toyah Willcox and dancer Neil Jones received the lowest score of the episode - 12 points - after they performed a tango to Ray Of Light by Madonna which was criticised by Craig Revel Horwood.

Chris and Dianne caused a stir in the ballroom -Credit:Guy Levy/BBC/PA
Chris and Dianne caused a stir in the ballroom -Credit:Guy Levy/BBC/PA

However, it was comedian Chris McCausland who caused a shake-up in the Strictly betting, according to Ladbrokes. Having been a 14/1 shot at the start of the weekend, Chris, paired with fan favourite Dianne Buswell, has seen his odds slashed to just 7/2, putting him firmly amongst the frontrunners and second in the betting, alongside JBm after their cha cha to Twist and Shout by The Beatles.

Elsewhere, Tasha was left leading the way in the race for the Glitterball Trophy at 3/1, while Nick Knowles and Paul Merson have been dealt further blows, now finding themselves 80/1 apiece to go all the way.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "He might be some way off the top of the leaderboard, but punters and viewers have already seen enough, and plenty seems to think Chris McCausland could be on course for a huge Strictly upset."