Wow, great standard for the first week.

I was a little less excited after last year's rather drab series, but totally up for it now

Pam surprised me- a new favourite!
Patsy looked terrified but was funny, Paul wasn't and Felicity will suit ballroom a whole lot more I think/ hope.

I thought it should have been Matt and Scott sharing top spot..

Surprised how good the waltz with Pamela and James was, because of his latin background. She seemed to have little nerves.

Matt and Aliona

Poor costumes but great technical ability.

I expected Matt to be very good but Pamela was an unexpected and very pleasant surprise.

Loved Pamela. Would have put her even slightly above Matt.

Loved Matt and Pamela. Thought Scott was ok (and loved Natalie's dress) too. I was so underwhelmed by the thought of this series but Im officially hooked!

Matt was sensational! And Pamela - you go girl! I thought she looked good in the group dance and on the training tape!

I said the exact same thing about Matt and Pam in the Discussion thread!

Great minds, eh?

Yes, Pam was good wasn't she? However if Ann Widdecombe doesn't win, I want Matt to win!

Pam and Matt were (without doubt) the stars of tonight's show. Both looked like week 3/4 dancers; very very good.

Matt was very good. He really surprised me because he looked like he didn't have a clue in the training video but I guess that was careful editing. I was very impressed. I just hope Aliona can choreograph some good routines for him.
Pamela was fantastic. I am not a James Jordan fan but the routine was just beautiful to watch. He's done it again...he was fantastic with Cherie Lunghi and looks like he may do the same with Pamela. Well done both couples, they deserve their top spot.

Indeed!

So pleasantly surprised. We've only seen half the kupples, too!

Looks set to be a very good series of Strictly.

I'm still not feeling the "love" for Aliona, but i have a feeling her and Matt will make a good partnership, great dancing from them tonight.

w00t! Drbolognaise. I didn't see you in the live thread. Who are you rooting for this year? I haven't made my mind up yet but I was blown away by Pam's waltz and Matt's CCC. I also loved Natalie's dress and thought her choreography was spot on (as usual).

Pleasantly surprised by both couples in the top two. Nice hip action from Mr Baker, had to pick my jaw up from the floor!

Pamela was brilliant at ballroom, not sure if she'll be at the same standard with Latin though... time will tell.

Great minds....great bodies....we were made for each other!

Very exciting start to the series SCD-O


She's got it in the bag

But if on the off chance Anne doesn't win this, then I've taken quite a shine to Jimi

Hello doc - nice to see you.

Like you I was finding it difficult to enthuse about this series - but some performances have aroused interest. I'd have put Pamela and Scott a little ahead of Matt and I thought Felicity overmarked - but overall I thought placings fairly accurate.

Me neither! However, I love Matt and think they will make a good partnership too - hope I can start liking her a little more as the series goes on.

I think Matt and Pamela were best tonight and so no complaints. Matt in particlar looks good but I always thought he would be. It's annoying because I didn't want to like him but I'm starting to!

I'd be interested to see how Pamela does in the latin.

Still got tomorrow to go yet though.

I think Matt's Cha Cha is the best Latin dance I have seen in the 1st week from a male celebrity. Pamela was fantastic - I though she would be quite good based on the group dance but she was even better than i thought she would be. It will be interesting to see her Latin and in contrast I also look forward to Felicity's ballroom which i think will suit her more.

Loved Scott & Natalie's sexy waltz - great chereography from Natalie & it really suited them. Again we can't fully judge him until we have seen his Latin though.

And to think we still have Michelle, Kara, Tina & Jimi tomorrow...and ann of course!!

I thought Pamela's dance was the best of the night.

Matt did very well with a good routine. His arms are a bit 'karate chop' on the extensions, but he got into character and performed the routine.

Im actually quite optimistic about this series. There actually seems like there could be a competition this year. Based on tonight, we seem to have two genuine contenders, a dark horse, plus we're yet to see the likes of Kara and Michelle who we know will probably be good.

I know, isn't that exciting?! Sorry, I am all for cheap thrills like that.


And to Sid, naughty!

Loved Pamela's waltz, and I don't generally like the waltz.

Hated Scott's, Natalie's ballroom choreography is usually great, that was horrible.