Strictly 2022: Week One

By The Recs SCD - Steve Coats-Dennis 4 years ago

Strictly 2022: Week One and all 15 couples took to the dancefloor for the first time in a sizzling series opener

Because of the delayed showing of the Strictly launch show, it seems rather quick that we’ve no sooner said hello to all the couples than we are immediately pushing them breathless and blinking onto the dance floor. 

A shirtless-frenzy fiesta of an opening number set a suitably sizzling tone – complete with all The Judges busting a move – thankfully Craig and Anton remained clothed throughout.

All images © BBC

Kym and Graziano had the unenviable position of opening the series. A Jive to Yes by Merry Clayton was more of a Maybe being neat but rather polite – unlike the reaction to Craig’s 4. Their canary yellow outfits are an early indication that wardrobe department have got it in for Kym. 

Falling by Harry Styles seemed to be tempting fate so early for Tyler and Dianne (who is still rocking The Little Mermaid hair). The iffy spin lift looked like a chamois leather caught on a ceiling fan. Their American Smooth, however, was enough to get Twirly Shirley in a fluster with her paddles. 

Jayde

Jayde and Karen’s Samba to Dirrty by Christina Aguilera improved the second they took off those hideous blue boiler suits. So much personality, not so much the steps. At least it had oomph. Tess, resplendent in reactor-core red, deployed the first claw-of-sympathy of the series, extending her unsolicited robot hand towards the nearby contestant. 

Kaye and Kai tangoing to Voulez-Vouz. Voulez-Vous? Not really, but thanks for the offer. Seemed a bit ambitious to do a Tango in Week 1. Kaye seems to share dance DNA with Judy Murray, so stiff that Kai began to resemble an undertaker moving the body about. 

Amy seems to have choreographed Martin Fowler James’ Jive around the idea that Amy is irresistible. Beige blokey seems to be a new vibe for Strictly 2022. Chafing against “making a mistake” – could he be the new Scott Mills? Or the new Jan Ravens? We do hope so!

Following TessBot2000’s completely comfortable and natural chat with Richie’s Mum, adorable Aardman-creation Richie and genius Giovanni’s Cha Cha Cha to I’m Your Man by Wham! deserved every exclamation mark! Ridiculously adorable – the fun factor has arrived. Clever choreography to exploit Richie’s too-many-blue-Smarties energy levels.

Helen and Gorka: American Smooth to You Send Me by Aretha Franklin. Well thank you costume department for Gorka’s trousers. Unexpectedly impressive dancing – lots of floaty smoothness (apologies for the highly technical dance terminology there). 

“My friends are excited to see what I wear every week” declared Molly, taking her future participation a little for granted.

“The best show of tonight til now” shouted Motsi critiquing the Samba, embracing her role as the Dancefloor Delphic Oracle. 

Judges were surprisingly kind – maybe they are fans of Anne Marie and Little Mix. Who knows? Those votes were not what we saw.

“It’s very hard to move quickly in a direction” Is it mean that we are howling at Matt Goss’s introduction to Quickstep?

Lots of potential and randomly Craig bringing sensible critique while Shirley and Anton clearly are revealed as Bros-haters!

We are convinced that Matt is the anti-Richie: the earnestness is real. A genius signing. (Please note The Recs readers, we will say this every week)

“And I fall in love with you” simpers Nikita. Ellie bursts into giggles. Well you would wouldn’t you…

Their Cha Cha Cha seemed a tad content light. Well played Nikita not overdancing (finally). 

To be honest, our heart sank hearing Go West by Village People was to be a tango.

Tony then bombarded us with football chat. But no dancing. The routine was as if the Strictly dance floor was rotating like a gyroscope and Katya was trying to lasso him to safety. 

When Claude deploys the “he has never danced before” sad head-tilt you know you are in trouble. Katya will be ripping pages from her Strictly Big Book of Dance Distractions for next week.

Will and Nancy jiving to Livin’ La Vida Loca by cousin-botherer Ricky Martin became the first routine of the night that didn’t feel like a Week 1 dance. Slick and packed with personality – a winning Strictly combo. Hmmm do we smell a winner?

Did Ellie Taylor’s and Johannes’ Quickstep to I Am What I Am seem more him than her? 

Loved the Mrs Maisel vibe but there is something missing in the partnership so far. Johannes has a far away look. That can’t bode well.

Human My Little Pony Hamza and Jowita foxtrotted to Islands In The Stream by Dolly and Kenny. 

Considering that we were fourteen hours into the opening show, we were happy enough to see a cameraman traipsing fairly elegantly around the ballroom.  Shirley and Motsi’s 9’s have been brought to you via their Red Bull drip clearly with some added gin. 

Colour us shocked that sexy X-Factoress Fleur and sexy Wolverine Vito got the pimp slot of closing the show. 

Insanely sharp, very in-your-face but wither the journey? If the RING-A-DING RINGER is doing this on Week 1, what are we expecting mid-series let alone the final?

Week 1 Round Up

The winners: Richie hitting likability rather than irritating, Helen showing a dance ability that she made earlier, Will impressed and professional dancer pop star Fleur delivered a professional dancer performance.   

The not-so-winners: Jayde must be thanking the Strictly Gods for including Tony. And anyone hoping for a level of consistency in the Judge’s scoring.

Author Profile

The Recs SCD - Steve Coats-Dennis