Yahoo News Strictly's Shirley Ballas 'needs a fan' to cool down after Kelvin Fletcher's 'electrifying' samba
Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas joked that she 'needed a fan' after Kelvin Fletcher wowed the panel with an "electrifying" samba on the first live episode of the new series.
The Emmerdale star proved a huge hit with judges and fans alike despite joining the competition late after Made In Chelsea's Jamie Laing was forced to drop out due to injury.
Fletcher and dance partner Mabuse received a standing ovation from the studio audience before earning lavish praise from the panel - even from notoriously hard to please Craig Revel Horwood.
They shot to the top of the leaderboard, receiving scores of eight from all four judges, giving them a total mark of 32 - the highest score in any opening episode in the last five years.
Brb just watching @kelvin_fletcher and @OtiMabuse's Samba on repeat for three days solid. 😮😮😮 #Strictly pic.twitter.com/k3mfAtvj1N
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly)
"It was electrifying," Ballas said, before joking that she had been left overwhelmed by the performance.
"I'm the oldest one here so I need my fan and my beads," she laughed, before praising the "sensual way [Fletcher] touch[es]," much to her colleagues' amusement.
New judge Motsi Mabuse, the older sister of Oti, said she was "happy" that Fletcher had "stepped in" at the last minute, before describing the performance as "so fun to watch."
Bruno Tonioli poked fun at Ballas by suggesting that Fletcher had "sparked a chain reaction of hot flushes," imploring his fellow judge to "calm down, it's week one" before condecing that Fletcher and Mabuse's performance was "the best samba [he'd] seen on a debut show, here, in America, in Australia."
Fans on Twitter also threw their support behind the couple, even tipping them as early favourites for the glitterball trophy.
"Putting it out there now: my vote for the glitter ball is Kelvin and Oti," one fan wrote.
I always root for Oti, but I think @OtiMabuse and @kelvin_fletcher are a diamond pairing! Can’t wait to see what they do next 🔥
— StrictlyVCH (@StrictlyVch)
woah Kelvin #Strictly pic.twitter.com/UTHzmkgNXB
— Jess (@jessharpss)
Omg @kelvin_fletcher smashed it!!!! @bbcstrictly I been waiting for his dance and was not disappointed #mywinner
— Mandy turfrey (@mandy_turfrey)
"Wow @kevin_fletcher What a revelation," another commented. "Unexpected is an understatement. Incredible dancing."
"Calling it now. Kelvin & Oti to win @bbcstrictly," a third predicted.
Tonight's live show gave the contestants the chance to perform in front of the live studio audience without a public vote.
Fans will be able to vote to save their favourite couple from next week's show.
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