Strictly's Amy Dowden and JB Gill top the leaderboard after Week One

At the top of the leaderboard we have JB & Amy with 31/40, with Tasha & Aljaz and Sarah & Vito join second with 30/40.

Toyah and Neil are bottom with 12/40.

It Takes Two presenters Fleur East and Janette Manrara popped in to remind us that they will be bringing all the Strictly gossip to BBC Two from 6.30pm on Monday. And the couples checked out their reels on the official Strictly social media.

Next week the lines will open for viewers to vote for their favourite couple, with the judges' scores from this week combined with next week's.

Can Toyah move up from bottom place? And will JB and Amy keep the top spot? We will have to wait until next Saturday.

So in the meantime, keeeeeep dancing!

Welsh Opera singer Wynne Evans and Katya Jones danced the Samba Tom Jones' Just Help Yourself To My Love. In rehearsal the star of the Go Compare adverts taught Katya to sing opera-style.

On the dancefloor he was wearing a comical chefs outfit and appeared from a platter of food, singing along.

Tess exclaimed: "What a finale, I could hear him singing throughout, could you Anton?"

The judges, Tess Wynne and Katya then all started up a rousing chorus of the Tom Jones hit.

Anton then sighed: "Oh. I don't know if anybody realises this I basically hate the Samba. I think its a stupid dance. But not when it's danced like that. I loved the Samba. I think it's great. Just joyous, Thank you very much."

Craig conceded; "Well that actually did put a smile on my face, So thank you for that. I'll now pass on to Motsi, I'm keeping it light, I'm keeping it bright."

Motsi told him: "I need see you counting. I was counting along with you. You can count all you want. I loved the connection between you two, combined with the technique was really entertaining Love it."

Shirley told them: "Well it's been a spectacular evening and you closing the evening has made my day. I know you are an opera singer, but your ear for music is absolutely spectacular. You are going to be great."

Claudia revealed Wynne has been checking in on all the contestants thus series.

They were scored 6, 6, 7, 7 giving Wynne a total of 26/40.

Gladiator Montell Douglas danced a sassy foxtrot to Is You or Is You Ain't My Baby with Johannes Radebe.

Shirley told her: All those solo pieces you had looked like they belonged on a West End Stage. I think this is a partnership made in heaven and I can tell how fond of each other you are. And that shows through when you're dancing, it's lovely."

Anton gushed: "Ooh come one. Your out of hold work is exceptional already. You need to work on stuff that is in hold. It's week one but so much delight."

Craig told Johannes: "You have taught Montell to dance just like you in heels. All I could see was JoJo in you. It was fantastic. I loved it. Fantastic save at the end by the way, Well done."

Motsi said: "There is nothing I like more than when a woman is using her centre, every movement you made you'd stop, you were on it, you were graceful. If I thin of Gladiators, the type of movement, this was so far away from that, so soft, I want to see more."

Montell scored 6, 7, 6, 7 a total of 26.

Comedian Chris McCausland was introduced by Tess as already standing out in Stritcly for his razor-sharp wit.

He joked to Claudia before his performance that he was wearing rubber underwear because of his nerves.

He is paired with Dianne Buswell. Chris said: "I think me we're a good match me and Dianne. You've got a belter of a sense of humour, that's the main thing here."

They danced the Cha Cha to Twist and Shout. The Scouser said said: "We're doing the Beatles, so that's good." The pair wore sixties outfits and danced in front of a brick wall set representing The Cavern nightclub where the Beatles used to perform. The dance ended with Chris lifting Dianne and then he carried her around the dancefloor cheering. The audience went wild and gave him a standing ovation.

But Craig told the blind comedian: "The shoulders unfortunately, your neck was lurching forward, you were picking up you feet way too much, there was not a straight leg in the building."

The audience booed and Shirley interrupted: "It's week one. He had a straight leg, he had no heel leads there and he had an awareness!"

Motsi said: "I am going to move and put Miss Shirley here because these two, they can go at it. I don't agree with Craig. No Craig, we saw those Cha Chas, we saw those Cuban breaks I sincerely hope you felt them. You're the first person who has been on the dancefloor and I didn't feel the nerves. You brought joy to the room. I love it."

Shirley agreed: "I saw the straight legs at the beginning. You had lifts. Just to take her between your legs, you have to time that, it's hard enough as it is. You have great skills when it came to listening to your partner. Actually I'm quite shocked and very emotional. Fabulous."

Anton said: "What d you say. It's one of the most extraordinary things I have ever seen in my entire life. When you twirled her under your legs. I've tried that. I don't want to go anywhere near that. It was just brilliant."

Chris said: "Craig I am too knackered to care right now. You give me what you want. I am not fussed."

He told Claudia: "That cartwheel thing, she kicked me in the head one day. If there is any doubt that I had more sight than I was letting on, I did not avoid or anticipate. I stood there and I took a foot right in the face."

Chris was scored 4, 6, 6, 7, giving him 23/40.

EastEnders' Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas took on the Viennese Waltz. Jamie has done Christmas Strictly so he has previous experience.

Motsi: "That was a great opening, great atmosphere, beautifully danced. The minute you got into hold, it went into a dance space. Every time you were in open position it was absolutely stunning so we need to find a balance on that because you show us that you can."

Shirley said: "I agree with Motsi, the mood and the emotions were absolute divine and you have the potential to be a magnificent ball from dancer. It was a little bit wooden. Struggling a little bit to find the footwork But I've seen you dance before, you have great promise."

Anton said: "I agree you look like you're going to a super, super dancer. You've got masses of potential." He then demonstrated how to hold your partner correctly with Shirley.

Craig agreed: "I think you are terrific. It needs a little bit of fluidity it was a bit jagged throughout but that performance was absolutely wonderful."

Jamie scored 6, 6, 5, 6, a total of 23/40

Paul Merson and Karen Hauer performed a football-themed American Smooth to anthem Vindaloo.

Craig uttered: "Well the American smooth is usually associated with Hollywood musicals. Fred and Ginger it was not. It was very flat footed. A beautiful game, darling..."

Anton shouted: "I loved it. It was great."

Shirley interrupted: "Yes it was very entertaining. What I loved about it was your'e a tall fella and you're very coordinated and you brought that to the dancing. You had some nice lifts. But for all I loved, for the second time I have to agree with Craig. American Smooth I couldn't recognise, but entertainment!"

Motsi gasped: "I needed some time. Thank you Shirley for coming in. I was sorting myself out. I have seen a lot in my life - this was special, this was different. I'm a soccer fan, I think the world championships are in England pretty soon and I can imagine this opening the ceremony. I don't know if it's American Smooth but it's something."

Anton told Paul: "I've done many numbers like this over the years and if I was still dancing on this show I'd be dancing with you and this is the number we would do. Karen you're a genius." "What more did you want?" he asked the other judges.

Karen admitted: "Choreographing to Vindaloo was one of the most difficult things I've ever done in my life. If they didn't recognise it, neither did I. But this man worked his tush off."

Craig scored them 2 Motsi scored 4, Shirley gave them 5 "for pure entertainment, and Anton declared "I loved it - 6! Giving them 17/40.

TV GP Punam Krishan danced the Cha Cha with Gorka Marquez. They were delighted with their own performance. Punam knelt down and thumbed the floor in excitement after. She said: "That was amazing, that was the best Saturday night I have ever had!"

Shirley replied: "Let me tell you in eight years on the show I've never seen so many people with so much personality. Your energy is off the chart! This another great partnership!"

Anton said: "I don't know how you concentrated with his body flapping about all over the place. Do your shirt up."

Tess told the former pro: "You used to do that."

Anton added: "I agree with lady captain, its' all good. I'd like to see a bit more drive through the legs, but other than that great performance."

Craig told Punam: "Your shoulders were up, your knees were bent throughout, but yes you did put all of you into it, so I can only thank you for that darling."

Motsi told her: "I feel like, just a little but you are in a tiny bubble. You have absolutely everything but just step into that space and say, 'Punam is here!'"

The GP revealed to Claudia: "I haven't even been in a Nativity show before. It was just mental. It was so electric, it went by in a flash, but it was genuinely one of the best Saturday nights ever."

Punam scored 4, 5, 5, 5, so 19/40

Olympic swimmer Tom Dean and returning pro Nadiya Bychkova dived in with a Tango.

Motsi: "Yes hard work has paid off. I can see that you worked hard on that Tango. I loved the attention you gave to your dance partner. The staccato was lacking. If you fix that you are a winner, but you know that."

Shirley drew whoops from the audience as she used Motsi to demonstrate how to hold your posture in a Tango, pulling her fellow judge into a close clinch. She added: "But you show great potential to be a magnificent ballroom dancer."

Anton said: "Sh is right its literally the only thing. So sort you is there out and everything else will fall into place."

Craig agreed: "Posture, posture, posture but I liked it."

The judges scored Tom and Nadiya 5, 6, 6 and 6 giving them 23/40.

Miranda star Sarah Hadland is paired with reigning champion Vito Coppola. Usually the Italian dancer and Celebrity MasterChef contestant teaches his celeb partners how to cook Italian food. But in rehearsal it was Sarah teaching him how to make the perfect cup of English tea.

They danced the Quickstep to Dolly Parton's 9 to 5, with a Joke Shop set in homage to sitcom Miranda.

Anton gasped: "Wow! Super, super good. Moving forward I want more lines. Keep all of the other stuff because it's all terrific."

Craig said: "One word Fan-tas-tic darling!"

Motsi raved: "Honestly what a year it's going to be, staring a Quickstep like that. Well done. Boom!"

Shirley said: "Entertainment, frame footwork. Just love this paring!"

Vito carried Sarah off the dancefloor in excitement.

Sarah: "In the words of Vito, [Italian accent] 'What happened?' I did secretly enjoy it quite a lot!"

Vito confessed: "It's the first time I ever meet someone with more energy than me."

The judges scored them 8, 8, 7 and 7 giving them 30/40. The highest ever score for a Quickstep in Week One."

Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal danced an unconventional Paso Doble to The Prodigy's Breathe. Pete flew onto the dancefloor in a dramatic opening.

But Shirley was disappointed. She said: "Paso Pete, I'm a little bit lost for words really. It seemed to be repetitive, the same thing over and over again." The audeince booed. Shirley said: "Wait a moment. Keep trying, keep fighting. But it want my cup of tea darling.

Anton admitted: It made me nervous. It made me a bit tense. You didn't go wrong which was great. It's the timing and the music which gets you on edge. Count as much as you like but you've got to learn to live the music and the choreography will mean a bit more to you. "

Pete replied: " I got not rhythm mate!"

Craig told him: "Nerves or not your arms were very loose and forgotten about You can't for one moment let your guard down. It was like you were going for a stroll through the Port Talbot steelworks. It does need more work, it let you down. But what I loved was your determination and the fact you were telling a story."

Motsi declared: "I'm going to be the odd one out because I'm always the odd one out. I know there was a lot of technique missing but I was captured. I saw a modern interpretation of a Paso. With that music it was going to be different. I can see your eyes like fire. Keep that."

The judges scored 4, 5, 3 and 5 giving them 17/40.

Despite the criticism, Pete admitted he loved dancing the Paso.

Favourite JB Gill is paired with returning pro Amy Dowden. She said it was the best comeback and before rehearsals when to see him perform with JLS and was excited to take him back to the rehearsal room. They danced an emotional Waltz to Leo Sayer's When I Need You

Craig said: "Well actually in hold your hand was very very good, its only when you went out of hold it became just a pointed finger which was extremely ugly."

Motsi shouted: "Whoah it's week one save it for later. Give us space for joy! I absolutely loved that attention. Amy it's so good to see you dancing again."

Shirley said: "Amy you're home where you belong and that choreography was absolutely outstanding. This is going to be an epic partnership."

Anton: "Amy, she's going to be so delighted with you when she watches this back. Your footwork! The frame. Don't stop! I loved it."

Tess said: "We all loved it. Very strong start JB!

An emotional Amy said "I'm so happy I could burst."

JB and Amy cored 7, 8, 8, 8, a total of 31/40, putting them top of the leaderboard.

Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec started with a Cha Cha to Sabrina Carpenter's Espresso which wowed the judges!

Tasha entered sitting on a giant yellow coffee cup, wearing sunglasses, which slowly pulled down.

Motsi raved: "What a way to start the show. I don't know what you promise us next, but you cant drop low, because you are high!"

Shirley raved: "I think it's everything you expect from a cheeky Cha Cha. You are beautiful and stunning, but when you move, I agree with Motsi, you've got to plant your foot and leave it. I think you are going to be one of the most spectacular people on Strictly we have ever seen."

Anton: " I was watching you but I was also watching Aljaz and he danced around going 'This is great!' It is brilliant. I am looking forward to this."

Craig uttered: "Oh Anton Du Beke honestly, Aljaz, welcome back darling. Slay, slay slay!"

Aljaz revealed they had rehearsed the dance once with Tasha's hearing aid out so she could feel the music.

The judges scored them 8, 8, 7, 7 totalling 30/40.

Aljaz shouted: "Unbelievable!"

Former punk Toyah Willcox danced the Tango with Neil Jones to Ray of Light by Madonna. In rehearsal she revealed to her dance partner she was born with her legs different lengths and after corrective surgery had to learn to walk again.

She threw herself into her performance - but it was a flop with the judges.

Craig said disparagingly: "For me it lacked aggression. You lost timing, there was quite an awful lot wrong with it."

Motsi disagreed: "She is a power girl, even Neil didn't know what was happening. Aggression, what do you mean? She was like [Roar]!"

Shirley said: "I think Craig was absolutely right so please hold her hand while I deliver this message. You have the most competitive spirit I think you came out here and wanted to give it your all. Unfortunately less is more and poor Neil looked like he was going for a walk in the park with you. You had a lot, but we need to direct that lot somewhere. But Craig for once in my life I agree with you."

Anton: "In dancing one person leads and the other perosn follows, but you can only lead when you touch. I liked the thing you were doing, but unfortunately Neil didn't know what it was. You have to discuss it beforehand."

Craig and Shirley scored Toyah 2, while Motsi and Anton gave her 4, making her score 12/40.

X Factor star Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu were next, dancing a Samba with a 70s disco theme.

Motsi told him: "The Samba is no not easy, and those 70s vibes - John Travolta it's not easy. There was a bit of detail missing, but its Week One, it's a Samba. clean it up and come back with that vibe."

Shirley said: "When you get in hold, in dances you need to have posture. Some lovely chemistry moments, but what I love from you the most is your confident."

Anton said: "This was a great vibe. I loved the way you performed the number. When you start to dance with Nancy, you get a little involved. But I really enjoyed it - for a Samba."

Craig scathingly said: "As a Samba I have to say it failed miserably. It was more like a Salsa, I think you're going to be great doing the Salsa. Yes you've got very loose hips which is all gorgeous to look at, but it didn't have the technique."

Tess said: "Well, I certainly enjoyed your Samba swagger." and Nancy told Claudia: "I love to dance with him and I thought he did a great Samba."

The judges scored Shayne 4, 6, 5 and 6 making his total 21/40.

Next up TV presenter Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin danced the foxtrot to Where Did Our Love Go by Diana Ross with a vintage office theme, with Nikita in thick framed glasses that he later admitted were steaming up.

Sam said she was worried about getting her posture right.

But Anton told her: "There is so much to like about this dance. You've got the beautiful arm position and you've got it straight away."

Craig said: "You lost a bit of balance as you're fully aware darling, and you'e not completely using your feet. A little lumpy. But there is chemistry between you two, I can see that happening."

Motsi told them: "I know this is out of your comfort zone, the hockey stick, the sport, the field, but having that tone in your body will push you further on. Lots of potential. Can't wait to see what you bring."

Shirley gushed: "It had attitude and you radiate beauty. But I absolutely have to disagree with you Craig. When you moved backwards it did not go clonk clonk clonk. A heel turn in Week One! You keep up your posture an footwork, you're going to be a force to be reckoned with."

The pair scored three sixes, and Anton made the audience and other judges gasp when he gave them a 5.Making their total score 23/40.

DIY SOS' Nick Knowles is the very first celebrity to perform. He and partner Luba Mushtuk a performing a Jive to We Built This City On Rock and Roll. It is Nick's 62nd birthday today.

In rehearsal Luba tells Nick how impressed she has been with him. Nick says: "My hopes are that I do better than people I expect." Adding he does not want to embarass his family.

The dance starts with a builders film, with Nick in a hard hat and hi-vis jacket.

Shirley told him: "Coming out first is always the most difficult thing to do you executed that brilliantly. I think you are ready to go sir!"

Anton shouted: "Nick yes! I was so nervous. That was super, it was so uplifting I felt elated. Don't lose that energy

But Craig said: "It was a little bit uplifting, but uplifting like a rolled steel joist darling. I'm just being honest, it was stiff, heavy and pigeon toed. I did however like you energy on the dancefloor."

Nick said: "A week ago I had all the energy of a wheelie bin."

Motsi told him: "Look what two weeks of dancing can do for you, you look young and full of energy!

Nick told Tess: "I thought I'd have to lie all the way through this competition but I really really loved it."

Nick got a 3 from Craif and three 5s from the judges giving him 18/40. He said: "A week ago I couldn't have dreamed of being average - and fives are average."

Pro dancer Carlos brought him a birthday cake - while all the dancers sang Happy Birthday to him. Nick ended up with cake all over his face.

After all the celebrities were welcomed to the dancefloor head judge Shirley Ballas announced: "I can now declare that Strictly Come Dancing 2024 has officially begun!" Followed by a burst of pyrotechnics.

As the celebs entered there certainly seemed to be strong support for comedian Chris McCausland in the audience.

Hosts Tess and Claudia are co-ordinated as always, Tess in a red trouser suit and Claudia in a floor-length white gown.

They reminded us no one will be leaving this week.

The judges were then welcomed to their panel. Craig Revel Horwood in a floral embossed black suit, Motsi Mabuse in hot pink, Shirley Ballas in a black lacy number and Anton Du Beke dashing as ever.

They will be the ones to decide which celebrity is dancing the best this week - with their score paddles.

The show has opened with a sizzling Latin group dance from the Strictly professionals.

Reigning champion Vito Coppola earned cheers from the audience for his springing and leaping, his red shirt open to reveal his bulging biceps.

He danced with Jowita Przystał who was eye-catching in a bright orange frilly costume with a flower in her hair.

Coppola lifted her in the air and spun her around by her feet.

As the dance ended to rapturous applause, the pair shared a victorious embrace

The class of Strictly Come Dancing 2024 are about to perform for the judges' scores for the very first time. From Sambas and Waltz's to a Jive and some Cha Chas - who will show promise early on? The time has come to find out.

JLS star JB Gill is the new favourite for Strictly this year after it was revealed he was partnered with returning pro dancer Amy Dowden. He knocked Love Island star Tasha Ghouri off the top spot. She is paired with Aljaz Skorjanec.

And after X Factor singer Shayne Ward was seen on the dancefloor in the launch show his odds drastically improved, placing him the bookies' third favourite to scoop the glitterball trophy this series, paired with Nancy Xu.

The couples' first dances and song choices have already been revealed.

But we are about to see who has got natural rhythm and could be heading into the very first dance off.

Here goes...

Talking on Lorraine earlier this week DIY SOS star Nick Knowles said that he was glad former Strictly Come Dancing contestants had been listened to over training concerns. Read more from Yahoo.

The first dances for Strictly Come Dancing’s 2024 couples have been revealed with the latest series’ week one live show. Read more on PA.