BBC Strictly Come Dancing viewers make same complaint minutes into show

The Strictly Come Dancing 2024 line-up ahead of Saturday's first live show
-Credit: (Image: PA)


Strictly Come Dancing is back on the telly, but it didn't take long for viewers to have their say on the new 2024 series. On Saturday night (September 21), Strictly launched into its first live performance of the season, hot on the heels of last week's announcements revealing celebrity and professional dance pairings.

The familiar faces of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman returned to guide fans through the glittering line-up as 15 fresh pairings took their first steps in hopes of snagging the much-coveted Glitterball trophy. Before the dance floor battles began, however, we were treated to a pre-recorded segment introducing this season's competitors as they made their grand entrance at Elstree Studios.

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Cue the dramatic intros with JB Gill ditching a stage appearance, Pete Wicks leaving his podcast haven, and Shayne Ward getting that essential pre-show spray tan, reports the Mirror. Not everyone was mesmerised by Strictly's show-starting spectacle, though, as disappointed comments started popping up on social media. One frustrated fan aired their grievance on X: "#Strictly I wish they would stop filling the time with we don't need to see all this. Stop wasting time.."

Another perplexed viewer shared their thoughts: "#Strictly that intro was weird," while another added a more positive spin: "The opening credits going for a comedy feel this year, I love it! #Strictly."

Among the varying reactions, one fan lamented the change of tune: "These intros are giving Big Brother vibes #Strictly", and another missed the classic sound: "#SCD Missing the old orchestra intro music. #Strictly."

As the first live show gets underway, here's the full list of songs and dance routines for Strictly week one:

Montell and Johannes - Foxtrot to Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby by Dinah Washington Punam and Gorka - Cha Cha to Love At First Sight by Kylie Minogue Sam and Nikita - Foxtrot to Where Did Our Love Go by The Supremes Sarah and Vito - Quickstep to 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton Tasha and Aljaž - Cha Cha to Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter Toyah and Neil - Tango to Ray Of Light by Madonna Chris and Dianne - Cha Cha to Twist and Shout by The Beatles Jamie and Michelle - Viennese Waltz to Beautiful Things by Benson Boone JB and Amy - Waltz to When I Need You by Leo Sayer Nick and Luba - Jive to We Built This City by Starship Paul and Karen - American Smooth to Vindaloo by Fat Les Pete and Jowita - Paso Doble to Breathe by The Prodigy Shayne and Nancy - Samba to Do I Do by Stevie Wonder Tom and Nadiya - Tango to Golden by Harry Styles Wynne and Katya - Samba to Help Yourself by Tom Jones

Viewers will have the chance to get involved when the lines open in week two next Saturday (September 28), with the first elimination of the series airing the following night (Sunday, September 29). The action tonight will kick off at 7pm on BBC One, but there won't be a results show this weekend.