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BBC treated viewers to a replay of Strictly Come Dancing’s first-ever episode, and they were pretty shocked at the judges’ comments.
The broadcaster has been giving audiences a second chance to watch some of their previous offerings on BBC Four, as an alternative to the Olympics coverage dominating BBC One.
Over recent weeks, classical entertainment shows Sir Bruce Forsyth’s Generation Game and decades-old Blankety Blank have been shown, but last night it was the turn of Strictly.
The series’ debut aired on May 15 2004, with celebrities Christopher Parker, Claire Sweeney, David Dickinson, the late Jason Wood, Lesley Garrett, Martin Offiah, Natasha Kaplinsky, and Verona Joseph, the first to test out the format that has become a staple of the TV schedule. The programme was presented by the late Sir Forsyth and Tess Daly, who now takes the helm of Strictly with Claudia Winkleman.
As well as the more modest set, and simple VTs, viewers noticed that the criticism was perhaps a little less sugar-coated.
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The late Len Goodman, Arlene Phillips, Bruno Tonioli, and Craig Revel Horwood -who remains on the series to this day – made sure the celebs knew exactly what they thought.
‘Chris, you convince millions of people you’re Spencer Moon, how about convincing them you can dance?’ Arlene told EastEnders actor Christopher.
‘I know you, you’re supposed to be nice to me,’ he quickly responded.
Arlene interjected: ‘I’m supposed to be nice to you? Did I get it wrong? Sorry.’
Bruno branded the Cha-cha-cha a ‘cheat cheat cheat’ as it included an unpermitted splits move.
‘I think Jason was waltzing with his face more than his feet,’ Arlene told Wood. Craig called the moves ‘lumpy’ and ‘awkward’.
Claire was told ‘Sorry boring, boring, boring’ by Bruno, after her Ballroom performance.
‘So much chaos in an hour,’ remarked Alfie.
Andrew Smith wanted a return to the past way of doing things: ‘Has anybody else noticed that back then people said how they felt, unlike now where everybody has to be nice to everyone else, even if they are crap? This is why TV is getting boring & more boring. No one can be honest anymore & say how they feel.’
Daniel Weekender feels the same and wrote: ‘I wish modern Strictly judges were more like this.’ Craig is now on the panel with Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke, who while still honest, viewers believe they are a little less harsh these days.
SuperTV247 said the series ‘didn’t give af’, Ryan Gledenning agreed, adding: ‘Love the way the judges literally didn’t give a s**t about their comments back in the first season.’
‘The Judges are so Soft now back then they were harsh & Strict,’ stated UKTVForever.
Ranty Alex pointed out: ‘Judges can’t be as harsh now, got to consider how it can be seen in a few years time.’
All in all, viewers loved the trip down memory line with some even suggesting that BBC Four continues to show the remaining episode of the series, which was eventually won by Natasha.
‘Anyone else absolutely loving the nostalgia of the old #Strictly,’ wrote Beverly Macca about the one-hour episode.
London Martin added: ‘Unpolished and uneven but the ingredients are all there. Worth a watch, Strictly fans.’
Others tried to spot how things have changed over two decades, as well as the catchphrase ‘Keep dancing’ not appearing at the end of the episode being pointed out, there was also the choices of clothing.
‘This first ever episode of #Strictly is fascinating. It’s the little differences that stand out. Like the clip of Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole rehearsing the day before the live show IN JEANS, like they just popped in for a bit of practice on their lunchbreak,’ spotted Drivelcast.
Ryan summarised: ‘WOW! It was so different: 8 celebs instead of 15. A choice of 2 dances every week. 6 weeks of training pre Week 1. + Watching Brucie makes me feel emotional. He WAS Strictly.’
It won’t be long until we have a brand new episode, with Strictly currently announcing who will make up the 2024 cast.
Love Islander Tasha Ghouri, The Only Way Is Essex star Pete Wicks, comedian Chris McCausland, who is making history as the first blind contestant; JLS singer JB Gill, Go Compare singer Wynne Evans; 80s music icon Toyah Willcox, BBC Morning Live star Dr Punam Krishan, Olympic swimmer Tom Dean, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, The X Factor winner Shayne Ward, Miranda actress Sarah Hadland, and Gladiators athlete Montell Douglas, have so far been confirmed.
Some viewers have criticised the lineup, claiming that the calibre of celebrity has lowered and linking it to the scandal. They’ve also questioned if one star has too much dance experience.
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Strictly Come Daning Series 1: Week 1 is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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