BBC Strictly Come Dancing viewers spot 'controversial' audience member as Zara McDermott returns

Strictly Come Dancing viewers were quickly flocking to social media as they noticed one particular famous face in the live audience. As well as the celebrities taking to the dancefloor, there were many others in the ballroom as the competition got underway.

The hit BBC One dance contest officially aired live for the first time on Saturday night (September 21) and it was time for all 15 of the new Strictly couples to perform for the first time.

The first live show of 2024 kicked off with a routine from the professional dancers, who dressed in colourful outfits, danced to a medley of songs before Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman arrived to get things started.

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It was DIY SOS star Nick Knowles and his dance partner Luba Mushtuk who opened the competition. Nick, who is celebrating his 62nd birthday, donned an orange hi-vis jacket while he jived with Mushtuk, 34, to We Built This City by Starship.

Judge Anton Du Beke said it was "uplighting" and added that he felt “elated” after watching their performance which scored 18 points from the judges. After their performances, Nick was gifted a cake from professional dancer Carlos Gu who appeared in a hi-vis and builder’s hat.

Elsewhere former field hockey player Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin performed a foxtrot to Where Did Our Love Go by The Supremes. Sam, who was given 23 points from the judges, was told by Motsi Mabuse that she was “shining” while head judge Shirley Ballas told her she had "attitude".

But some Strictly fans couldn't help but be ditracted by the live audience and some of the famous faces who'd headed to Elstree to watch the action unfold - partriuclalr because of the return of Zara McDermott.

The former Love island star was in the studio with her boyfriend Sam Thompson as they showed their support for their pal Pete Wicks but sporting matching t-shirts braded with a shirtless snap of Pete and encouraging fans to vote.

And fans were quick to note that Zara appeared to be putting her troubling experience on the BBC show last year - which saw her professional partner Graziano Di Prima axed - behind her.

@cantgroundlenny said: "I knew Sam would be in the audience, surprised at Zara though... cameraman quickly cut away #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing." @Survivinthe20s commented: "Controversial of Sam and Zara sitting there in the audience #Strictly." @alexaxx12 added: "Zara McDermott in the audience #Strictly."