The 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing launched its first live show on Saturday, September 27th, bringing 15 new celebrity couples to the ballroom to perform for judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas, and Anton Du Beke. A significant announcement was made early in the broadcast by hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman regarding a change in the celebrity line-up. Former Love Island winner Dani Dyer was forced to withdraw from the competition on medical advice after sustaining an ankle fracture during a training fall. Dani, who had been paired with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin in the pre-recorded launch show, expressed her disappointment but affirmed her intention to cheer on the other couples. In her place, fellow Love Island winner Amber Davies was confirmed to be dancing with Nikita. Despite the announcement, eagle-eyed fans noted an “awkward” moment as Dani Dyer was still featured in the show's opening titles, without Amber Davies.

The evening's performances began with an opening routine from the judges, taking viewers through the decades. Anton Du Beke sported a 1970s look, Shirley Ballas represented the 1980s, and Motsi Mabuse channeled the 1990s, while Craig Revel Horwood showcased four different costumes. Kicking off the competitive dances, former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw and his professional partner Nadiya Bychkova performed a Samba to EMF's “Unbelievable.” Their routine, featuring sparkly black and silver rugby-inspired outfits, earned them 14 points, with two threes from Craig and Shirley, and two fours from Motsi and Anton. However, many fans on social media felt Chris had been “stitched up” with a difficult Samba for week one, a challenging song choice, and unusual costumes. Adding to audience observations, former contestant Pete Wicks was spotted in the studio audience, supporting his friend Vicky Pattison, who is competing this year. Viewers also voiced a common complaint about “cheesy VTs” and extended montages, suggesting a preference for more dancing.

In other Strictly news, the popular spin-off show “It Takes Two” is set to return to screens on Monday, September 29th. Janette Manrara and Fleur East will be back at the helm as co-hosts, providing backstage stories and insights. Professional dancer Aljaz Skorjanec, Janette's husband, is also making a much-anticipated return to the show as a pro dancer for the 2025 series, having been paired with La Voix.

Reflecting on past experiences, TV star Ruth Langsford, a former contestant, shared insights into her challenging journey on Strictly, despite the show's glamorous facade. She highlighted the immense difficulty she faced in remembering choreography, attributing it partly to her hectic schedule which included “This Morning” and “Loose Women,” limiting her rehearsal time. Ruth confessed that she “genuinely can say there was not one Saturday where she 100% knew her dance.” However, she fiercely defended the show against recent scandals, including complaints against Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, stating she could only speak from her “best experience.” Langsford emphasized the enduring friendship she forged with her dance partner Anton Du Beke, praising his kindness, humor, and unwavering support through emotional moments. She lauded the entire “phenomenal team” behind Strictly, expressing her hope for the show's continued success. No elimination was scheduled for the first week of the 2025 competition, with the first celebrity exit typically occurring in the second week.