The competition has started properly now, with our first full week of dancing - each couple taking to the floor and showing us what they can do. No one gets voted out in the first week, which means they get one more chance to impress us next week, but if I’m honest… I was impressed by almost everyone anyway!

The start of the show was lovely, first featuring Amy in the opening credits, fingers crossed she can join in the series in some capacity at some point, and then the gorgeous location of Scottish castle ruins as the opening professional dance number. Then, the dancing got less professional as the contestants took to the floor.

Adam & Luba - Cha Cha Cha

“How do I keep that leg straight though?” “Just, er, with your brain.” Not helpful advice from Luba.

Not bad for a first dance, not great though. Maybe had high expectations, bit walky etc. But out first and he had a lot of fun, and they seem like a good pairing. He was so excited afterwards!

Angela & Carlos - Tango

I’m really loving Angela so far. “So much joys and funs,” said Carlos.

Felt like the balance was a bit of an issue, the frame could use a lot of work and all felt a bit wobbly. But good intensity, tango is so hard to get into character with. Overall pretty good! Lots of potential, says Craig.

Eddie & Karen - Quickstep

“I can’t wait to get you in the training room… and destroy you.” Yep, Karen is terrfying.

Fun dance, great concept. He’s got pretty good rhythm, much better out of hold than in! All the steps in the right order, but not very precise or refined.

Angela & Kai - Cha Cha Cha

Knickers! Kai comes across a lot better with Angela than he has previously, that’s good. Why is there a Shirley Bassey cover of a P!nk song? So weird, but great job by the band.

Even better job by Angela! So good, straight legs agogo, looks amazing, the leg lift at the end!! Effortless grace. Well earned standing ovation. Simple but brilliant.

“Jaw-dropping!” Craig!

Nikita & Gorka - Waltz

150 million per cent… hmm. Lovely Whitney song. Niki’s head seemed to be wobbling about all over the place, but it wasn’t bad though, certainly wasn’t boring as some waltzes can be. Didn’t seem to have a character, was just a bit giggly.

Layton & Nikita - Samba

Samba is so hard at any time, let along for a first week. Expecting good and got it, obviously. Bit flingy in places, but this guy can do the splits. Not enough hips for me. Like that Anton addressed the fact he already has the experience but it’s not relevant. It is relevant but good to get it out there in the open.

Zara & Graziano - Cha Cha Cha

Quite stiff, and doing the steps but really you could see her thinking about them all. Trying to inject some personality though and timing was good. She was happy with it at the end.

Les & Nancy - Tango

She says ‘good boy’! Adorable. Never seen someone concentrate so hard on not smiling. It wasn’t great, but bits of it were better than I was expecting… if we’re being kind. Bless him!

Ellie & Vito - Jive

Training footage looked good. Really good, impactful start. Kicks maybe not the best but great rhythm, hitting every beat. Confidence out of every pore. Stamina maybe an issue.

“What is more to come?” exactly, Motsi.

Jody & Jowita - Quickstep

Really good, great timing, solid footwork, character could use some work - sportspeople sometimes find it hard to dig out the personality. But definitely showed a different side to him.

Bobby & Dianne - Foxtrot

“I don’t know much about the foxtrot, all I know is it’s ballroom vibes.” Nice, sweet, simple dance. Good steps in the right order. Not great frame, felt he was too tall for her. Booped her on the nose. “Everything about you just says dancer.” Shirley.

Annabel & Johannes - Cha Cha Cha

“Welcome to Vannabel.” I so want a vannabel. The dance was far better than I was expecting! Couldn’t quite cope with the props and the story didn’t fully make sense to me. But so good. Also compares favourably to Judy Murray, who your mind instantly goes to when thinking tennis & dancer.

Amanda & Giovanni - Viennese Waltz

“What could go wrong in 90 seconds?” Incredible dancing, started out good character but think the nerves got to her and the face went out of character a bit. But the dancing was top notch and no complaints about feeling dizzy!

Krishnan & Lauren - Cha Cha Cha

The band fighting hard to do this song. Lauren coming across better than I expected but oof Krishnan not great. It is what we used to expect from week one, but everyone else is better.

Nigel & Katya - Paso Doble

“Excuse me, what are you doing on a dance show?” Katya always giving as good as she gets. Colin as a character name is pretty dull, but this dance is not! SO GOOD! The song was great too. Katya is a wizard. Colin was fantastic! Dave Arch living his best life! “You are the one to beat,” says Shirley. Tess totally thought he was actually called Colin! Full 8s in the first week!

I mentioned in the launch show post that I was really downplaying my expectations coming into this show but already… I’m totally loving it. There are a couple of dancers who already stand out as potential finalists, but I also think the field has the potential to be a lot closer than it has in the last few years.

This week, Nigel was top of the leaderboard with four couples behind all on the same number of points. At the other end of the scale, Les and Nikita propped up the tail end of the table. But there’s another chance to up the scores next week, so let’s see where we are in seven days time!