1. Karen knew exactly what she was doing - I predicted liftgate before the show - the BBC needs a bit of controversy to get people tweeting... and watching.
2. Poor Victoria! Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Sorry, but although I love her, I can't see the potential as she doesn't appear to have a musical bone in her body. Hope it was just the nerves getting the better of her but that was worse than I'd predicted.
3. On the other hand, Michael, although obviously counting his way through that dance and as stiff as a very stiff thing dipped in starch, was a pleasant surprise. Natalie is brilliant and does not need any advice from Darcey about how to improve Michael's posture, thank you very much.
4. Darcey, yah, it's always nice to give constructive criticism, but a tad patronising, okay? The professional dancers know what they are doing, alright?
5. I don't mind Denise being a dirty ringah, because Len was right - her footwork was that of a musical theatre dancer, not a ballroom dancer. Nice try, James, but the dry ice didn't quite disguise it.

1. Nicky please take your hands out of your pockets
2. Natalie is a brilliant teacher
3. Colin and Kristina looked good despite the height difference
4. I have done a complete 180 degree turn and I now really like Artem
5. Yay! The man in the hat

Awww bless. I do love you, you're so genuinely nice. Me? I have no trouble unappreciating.

At the moment I miss Alesha's personality but that could be because the whole show felt a bit...bland...tonight. I'm not sure why and I hope I can shake the feeling off as I loved the launch and I love Strictly in general.

Aw sweetie {{{HUGS}}} We all have our pet hates and normally you're nice, so you're allowed.

Can't say I've noticed - much!

Me? I like James (well, not when he's shouting at the judges from the balcony)!

Cheating like Karen...

6. Gobsmacked that apparently Karen was tweeted about the lift by someone who saw it in a training clip and replied saying "thanks marie very sweet of u. Once u see the routine you will know why i made that professional decision.."

7. Natalie is a brilliant teacher and still my secret girl crush!

8. Nice to see the scores nice and low as they should be in Week 1.

9. Artem and Brendan were very sweet tonight!

10. SO looking forward to tomorrow night's show!

I know! I'm proud of how well I hide it.

1. Starting pose of Natalie and Michael at the top of the stairs
peeeeerrrrrrrffffeeeecccct *swoon* *faints*
2. Natalie's choreography lovely
3. Once Michael sorts out his balance issues that will help the posture
4.he is beyond gorgeous and looks like he has potential
5. Nice to see a waltz with a man in a suit

*ahem* *flips hair* were there any other couples

1. YAH!!
2. Craig's comment about the lift seemed more like an attack than constructive criticism
3. Colin impressed me more than I expected
4. Poor Victoria
5. The scoring seemed pretty low.

I'm going to break the rules and add one more thought

6. God help the rest of this week's bunch, because it's not looking too good

1. Karen did not impress me, thought she would, disappointment.
2. Felt for Victoria, she will bounce back.
3. I liked Denise, but she will be challenged when footwork is more apparent.
4. Colin and Fern both had the right attitude -- helps significantly!
5. Bruce caused the 'short for time' issue, and will continue to do so.

1) Nicky and Karen, absolutely no chemistry together. I was so looking forward to seeing these two and was left feeling deflated and disappointed with them.

2) Genuinely felt gutted for Victoria, she messed up so bad, but loved how emotional she was and she was amazing to fight back the tears like she did. Really beleive that she has the passion and drive to do really well in this competition - I find that I agreed with Darcy 'get lower heels'.

3). Denise and James - what can I say, love them both - think the chemistry they have is amazing but would like to see less Twittering and joking around. They are like Marmite, either love or hate, no in between

4) Judges - Craig, don't think he likes Karen, I felt like I was watching a personal attack on her. Darcy - jury is out at the moment. Bruno and Len, my favourite double act

5) Bruce, so many fluffed lines - he is a legend but it's time to think about retirement from the show, I felt so uncomfortable watching him make mistake after mistake. Maybe he should wear glasses to read the autocue

1) Fern better than i thought she would be
2) Nicky, not as good as i thought he would be, a lot of work there to be done.
3) Michael Vaughan as a batsman should be able to deal with the footwork for a waltz.I cannot see him improving much.
4) Victoria Pendleton, it was like watching Bambi in ice,she had difficulty in walking let alone dancing.
5)) Colin did really well for a tall man and should be even better with the waltz next week.
6) A fair appearance from someone who despite her protests has had a background in dance.

1. Love Natalie - her genuine response to Michael's efforts was a pleasure to see
2. Not taking to Nicky & Karen
3. Hope Darcy's personality comes out a little more than "ballet teacher" mode
4. I liked Brucie's Bond joke
5. Poor Victoria --

1 Didn't think I'd want Alesha back but....!
2 Victoria doesn't have much potential
3 Colin was good
4 Natalie did a great job
5 Artem did actually seem human for once!

1. Karen hasn't a chance in hell of winning with that choreography. Not taken to her.
2. Natalie always does a nice routine and she and Michael looked sweet together.
3. I want Victoria to climb that mountain but her temperament might be against her.
4. When Darcey sorts her vocal tics yah, she'll be great.
5. Denise and James can bugger off now.

1. Impressed that Darcy has agreed to join the panel - with her background, at least she will be able to give good advice that will help contenstants rather than just slate them.

2. James (not one of my favourites) coupled with Denise (can't stand her) does not bode well (time to nip out and put the kettle on I suppose)

3. Loved Michael and Natalie - both have a good sense of humour so I have high hopes for them with the whole chemistry bit.

4.Not a huge fan of Brendan and I don't think he did Victoria any favours - she did well to keep going even though the routine had fled from her head; felt really sorry for her but I hope she improves and stays in the show for a good while yet.

5. Colin is so hot and I might be a bit biased because of that

As a general note: sorry Brucie, you may be a nation's favourite but the time has come for you to retire before the criticisms become very harsh.

1. How staged the 'liftgate' part was. Was it always this staged? I seem to remember the judges fuming with anger when Brendan did lifts in earlier series.

2. Glad Colin is better than expected. Awful shirt though.

3. Denise and James, just... ugh. I don't care about the experience, just annoying as hell.

4. Nice to see some return to happier times of training VTs and no high scores in the first week

5. If Victoria was younger and less posh we would all be sympathising with her.

There's always been "lift-gate" incidents, lets not forget Brendan every other week.

1) surprised how bad some of the dancing was normally there is one that stands out
2). Victoria quit the blubbing you will be out before you know it, that girl has issues
3) DVO will always be not liked and I do think she is ok, lied her on Big Breakfast. Ok dance Len brought James and DVO down to earth with a bang, think there s friction moing there shortly
4) disappointed with Nicky all hunched up, when he gets his posture right he will be ok
5) best till last Darcy jeeze woman what s it with the Yaah?

1) Karen- not impressed, bad choreography and that lift!
2) Poor Nicky dumped with Karen
3) Darcey, Too many Yarrs for me, but reasonable comments.
4)Colin- Sorry, not seeing what all the fuss is about.
5) Victoria..Felt sorry for her going so badly wrong.

1) I actually found one of Bruce's jokes funny, but doesn't forgive the rest of the verbal stumbling
2) Loved Michael and Natalie, Colin and Christina and Fern and Artem - all seem to have great relationship.
3) Felt Craig went on a bit too long about the lift and a bit too far. I felt sorry for Karen.
4) Darcey's 'yah?' at the end of every statement was so annoying. Hope it's just nerves.
5) Pleasantly surprised that the judges were a bit more realistic about the scores.

1. I love Nicky & don't feel he deserved to be marked down as low as Craig marked him just because of the lift.
2. Tess and Brucie make the show, great presenters and I like their chemistry.
3. Denise annoys me with her OTTness.
4. Alesha needs to return, Dacrey is far too pretentious.
5. Didn't think Victoria's dance was that bad and rathed liked her as a person which surprised me.

1. Bring back the lyrics to the theme tune!



JOKE



1. Thought everyone was clearly nervous and it showed for ALL the dancers, even Colin and especially Denise van Not A RINGAH.

2. Victoria suffered for two reasons - she's emotionally more fragile than a puppy in a creche, and wardrobe chose heels which would make drag queens blush. It wasn't entirely Brendan's fault.

3. Bruce made me laugh. Twice. I fear the Bond Theme meme is going to go on ALL SERIES

4. Michael wasn't bad at all. In fact I'm sensing a journey. There, I said it.

5. Judges were as usual. Darcy, yeah, she was like, so Sloan, yeah? Like, seriously Fulham, yeh? But how refreshing to hear the female judge not:
a) Strangle every alliteration like mad and paw over the men
b) Commend the celeb for just going out there and having fun

1) No idea who Nicky was, but liked him - obviously setting Karen up as the female Brendan/James

2) Having seen Victorias documentary and followed her cycling career, she was exactly how I thought she would be

3) Artem seems to have realised that the moody Russian persona will not work so well with a non-sex bomb and gone all warm, fun and encouraging - interesting

4) Colin good looking guy and all - but the dancing was nothing special imo, just the usual Kristina doing nearly all the work

5) I have no problem with Denise's previous experience - but I can't warm to the Essex ladette persona, it grates

1) Its not the same without Alesha
2) I don't think Bruce was having a dig at Alesha but it was in poor taste
3) Darcey is a poor choice
4) I like Denise
5) Looking forward to seeing Kimberley tonight

1. Another DS thread got me listening for the 'ho', but there were loads of them.
2. Nicky: get your hands out of your pockets!
3. Who on earth thought it was a good idea to dress Colin like a drag queen?
4. Darcey was perceptive, but... yeah
5. Strictly's back. Yay, my life is complete once more.