Fabulous Friday - Strictly Opens for Business

And Strictly Begins!
The first six couples took to the floor dancing either a Waltz or the Cha Cha and we already have a good idea of who will be wooden and who will be wonderful...

Kicking off the show was professional favourite Artem Chigvintsev with his celebrity partner Fern Britton in regal partner dancing the Cha Cha to a Stevie Wonder song. Artem pretty much led Fern around the floor but she looked keen and happy. Judge Bruno Tonioli declared Fern to be flirtatious but the dance needed to be sharper. Craig Revel Horwood made Fern very happy by saying she had beautiful hands! They score 19.
Westlife's Nicky Byrne danced the Waltz next with new professional dancer Karen Haeur.  Bruno felt they needed to express themselves together more. And Craig took Karen to task for including a lift in the waltz when a foot has to be on the floor at all times during the dance. He wasn't very happy with the rule breaking and scored low with a 2, meaning the couple only scored 17 overall. Oh dear Karen, you don't want to make an enemy of Craig so early on!

Cricketer Michael Vaughan and Natalie Lowe dance a beautiful Waltz. Craig says they need more grace but new judge Darcey Bussell thinks they started well and they score 20 despite some rumblings about Michael sticking his bottom out...

Olympic Cyclist Victoria Pendleton and Brendan Cole take to the floor dancing an energetic Cha Cha to Kylie's Spinning Around and for once Vic's amazing six-pack was not on show! Darcy thought they were wonderful and really felt for Victoria and her nerves. But they scored the lowest of the night with 16.
007 actor Colin Salmon danced next with Kristina Rihanoff, their assured Cha Cha to James Brown's classic I Feel Good got them great comments and a standing ovation which is amazing for the first week. Len Goodman dubbed it the Cha Cha of the night and despite Craig saying there were some moments they could have done without but they scored a fantastic 23!

The show finished with Denise Van Outen dancing a waltz to With You I'm Born Again with James Jordan. Surprisingly elegant Denise was called 'expressive' by Bruno who decided that he really enjoyed it, even Craig has some good words to say about it. They score the best of the night with 25. Well done Denise!
Relive the show (with comments from watchers) by reading back our live blog here!
See you tomorrow night for details on the remaining eight couples.... It's Super Saturday all over again.
Keep Dancing!