As this year’s ballroom contest went live for the first time, an epic show saw JB Gill waltz to the top of the leaderboard, Chris McCausland perform cha cha miracles, Paul Merson tuck into a Vindaloo and Toyah Willcox get thoroughly tangoed.

Strictly Come Dancing 2024 viewers have 'worked out' the likely celebrity who will leave first next week on the BBC series, after the line-up took to the dance floor

Strictly Come Dancing fans claimed to have spotted a clue Paul Merson wasn't impressed with his score after seeming annoyed about his dance choice, with the show being called out

And comedian Chris, who is the show's first-ever blind contestant, was a stand-out star of the night as he performed an impressive Cha Cha to The Beatles' classic Twist and Shout with his professional dance partner Dianne Buswell. READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing viewers spot 'controversial' audience member as Zara McDermott returns

Paul Merson’s Vindaloo nightmare leaves fans divided over week one dance - The pressure is on as celebrity contestants perform live for the first time this season

While football fans will be eager to see how former Arsenal star Paul Merson performs on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, they may not see him on Sky Sports for some time

Former footballer and Strictly Come Dancing star, Paul Merson, who made a name for himself winning trophies with Arsenal and representing England in the 1990s, had a less successful stint as a manager.

Strictly Come Dancing is gearing up to return for the show’s 20th anniversary as the show faces an ongoing scandal regarding the conduct of the BBC show’s professional dancers. The 22nd series arrives as the programme faces scrutiny over the treatment of some of its celebrity participants.