Chemistry Major

Sep 27, 2024 by Rob

Chris well and truly stole the show in week one with a barnstorming CCC. It was the perfect, feel-good antidote to the show’s recent controversies and begs the question whether TPTB will be happy to run with Chris all the way to the Glitterball trophy.

He has established himself as the clear viewers’ favourite and grabbing the voting momentum early in the series run can often prove the clincher.

There will be a ceiling with Chris’s dance skills and a lot will hinge on Dianne’s choreo ingenuity in creating some more memorable routines.

We’ve been here before, of course, questioning whether a potential pv juggernaut has the requisite dance ability to earn the endorsement of TPTB for the series win: Bill Bailey.

There could be some allowance granted due to Chris’s lack of sight. Bill had the benefit of a shortened series run in 2020 during the pandemic and his iconic Rapper’s Delight routine to reprise.

Another parallel with Bill is the great rapport Chris has struck up with Dianne, conjuring memories of his bond with Oti Mabuse. The connection they have made comes across as authentic and the content they are creating on Instagram, like Bill and Oti, is charming.

It will take a concerted effort to derail Chris and as arguably the show’s most valuable commodity in the feel-good stakes TPTB may consider that a needless act of self-harm.

Amy’s comeback is the other big, feel-good narrative in this series and her and JB enjoyed a table-topping 31 for their waltz. A more under-the-radar, journey building week one might have been expected but it looks like TPTB have already set their stall out.

The other two perceived leading males in this series, Shayne and Jamie, endured a thoroughly deflating week one. Shayne’s ‘snake hips’ proved a damp squib performing a samba which looked intentionally set up to fall flat from the 3 slot, while Jamie was on the receiving end of some of the fiercest nit-picking on the night for his VW. This could be telling when you place their handling alongside JB’s much more favourable treatment.

Chris has the chance to consolidate viewer favour with that joyous track for his foxtrot whereas JB’s song choice for his CCC doesn’t look as compelling. Shayne should enjoy a better reception performing a tango, and it will be informative to see how Jamie copes with rumba to a track Kelvin Fletcher memorably melted hearts with.

It is easy to identify four female celebs vying to be leading lady in this series – Tasha, Sarah, Montell and Sam. You pays your money and you takes your chance at this stage in trying to figure out who will ultimately come out on top.

The heavy emphasis on Aljaz looking after Tasha couldn’t have been more transparent but there is a lot to like with this pairing and it lends itself to a series that looks like applying as many feel-good ingredients that it can find.

Sarah is shaping up as this year’s Amanda Abbington and could be set to ace every dance genre thrown at her. Her and Vito turning up to Monday’s ITT in matching outfits looked a little bit desperate in trying to pull off the same charm offensive that succeeded for Vito with Ellie last year.

A paso to Summer Olympic soundtrack and 1996 Eurodance anthem, Gala’s ‘Freed From Desire’, either hints at producer favour or cunningly ensuring they burn through their best routines early in the series run.

Montell is expected to shine even more in fast Latin so it was an encouraging week one for her with a 26-scoring foxtrot. Her samba to Eleni Foureira’s iconic Eurovision track could be a week two highlight.

Sam’s score of 23 for her foxtrot looked noticeably harsh in comparison to others. There seemed to be some genuine chemistry between her and Nikita but Sam backers will be hoping the low score is a journey builder rather the start of a recurring theme. A Charleston to that classic tune could come under consideration for the pimp.

Week 1 judges’ leaderboard:

JB & Amy – Waltz (6) – 7, 8, 8, 8 = 31
Tasha & Aljaz – CCC (5) – 8, 8, 7, 7 = 30
Sarah & Vito – Quickstep (8) – 8, 8, 7, 7 = 30
Wynne & Katya – Samba (15) – 6, 6, 7, 7 = 26
Montell & Johannes – Foxtrot (14) – 6, 7, 6, 7 = 26
Sam & Nikita – Foxtrot (2) – 6, 6, 6, 5 = 23
Tom & Nadiya – Tango (9) – 5, 6, 6, 6 = 23
Jamie & Michelle – VW (12) – 6, 6, 5, 6 = 23
Chris & Dianne – CCC (13) – 4, 6, 6, 7 = 23
Shayne & Nancy – Samba (3) – 4, 6, 5, 6 = 21
Punam & Gorka – CCC (10) – 4, 5, 5, 5 = 19
Nick & Luba – Jive (1) – 3, 5, 5, 5 = 18
Pete & Jowita – Paso (7) – 4, 5, 3, 5 = 17
Paul & Karen – AS (11) – 2, 4, 5, 6 = 17
Toyah & Neil – Tango (4) – 2, 4, 2, 4 = 12

Punam has some vague hopes of ending up the biggest journey contestant of the lot on the female side. There is something inherently charming in her being the serious NHS doctor by day, glamorous Strictly dancer by night, and thoroughly embracing the experience.

Pete turned into a pre-week one gamble matched on Betfair as low as 10 ahead of his paso. Layers were soon in clover as it proved a big disappointment. As excellent as Jowita is as a teacher and a choreographer he has a mountain to climb to make it to the business end of the competition.

The judges were noticeably generous in their scoring of Tom’s tango. This might suggest he is not in their sights for first elimination though the difficult CCC is likely to see him drop down the leaderboard, and potentially end up in contention for the dance-off.

Wynne enjoyed the pimp slot for his samba and it was yet another Katya masterclass in choreographing. As hard as Wynne tries to be witty, you get the impression he is always going to play second fiddle to Chris.

Nick was given the tough task of opening the show with one of the hardest Latin dances in jive. He has since contrived to injure himself changing a tyre on his car. If he is able to take part tomorrow night, an AS to Blur’s ‘Parklife’ looks as awkward a fit as that car wheel. Nick might be aided by some sympathy votes.

Karen did a fine job making Paul’s AS entertaining and he should have earned plenty of viewer goodwill. A salsa to that Pitbull track should see the positive Paul sentiment reinforced.

Toyah produced a shocker of a tango which has left her a long way adrift in last place. To escape the dance-off she will need to bounce back strongly dancing jive which we know is one of the toughest fast Latin assignments. She looks a worthy favourite for first elimination heading into tomorrow night.

Once again in this series, we will run our exit poll offering the chance for a snap window of how the actual vote could be going, and to trade the first elimination and Outright markets while they remain open on Betfair prior to voting lines closing.

Please do drop by and cast your vote(s). Here is the link that will open during tomorrow night’s show:

Strictly 2024 Exit Poll – Week 1/2

Week 2 dances and songs:

Montell & Johannes Samba to Fuego by Eleni Foureira
Punam & Gorka Foxtrot to Man! I Feel Like A Woman! By Shania Twain
Sam & Nikita Charleston to Bob Wilson and his Varsity Rhythm Boys
Sarah & Vito Paso Doble to Freed From Desire by Gala, Molella, Phil Jay
Tasha & Aljaz Viennese Waltz to Misty Blue by Dorothy Moore
Toyah & Neil Jive to Nutbush City Limits by Ike & Tina Turner
Chris & Dianne Foxtrot Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy by The Tams
Jamie & Michell Rumba to Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers
JB & Amy Cha Cha to Closer by Ne-Yo
Nick & Luba American Smooth to Parklife by Blur
Paul & Karen Salsa to Fireball by Pitbull, John Ryan
Pete & Jowita American Smooth to I Had Some Help by Post Malone, Morgan Wallen
Shayne & Nancy Tango to The Door by Teddy Swims
Tom & Nadiya Cha Cha to Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind & Fire
Wynne & Katya Viennese Waltz to The Blue Danube by Johann Strauss II