Gotta say I was really surprised by tonight. I never expected to say this but I think Greg and Natalie have fantastic chemistry both on the dance floor and off. You can see they get on well but on the floor they just fit really well I guess in terms of height etc, but also just how they interact. I feel some couples can go a whole series not achieving that chemistry on the dance floor.

What did everyone else think?

I think/ hope gorka and tameka and aj and Claudia could have nice chemistry on the dance floor too!

I agree, Greg and Natalie seem perfectly matched - I also like Laura and Giovanni as a couple, I think they're both having fun

Totally agree. Nat and Greg really looked like a 'team' out there. Looked to be really enjoying themselves on and off the floor. Really looking forward to seeing more from them.

Laura and Giovanni, Greg and Natalie and also Ore and Joanne . . . came across more in their training footage than last night's dance but it's definitely there.

Rob and Oksana and Greg and Natalie look like great partnerships that are going to work well.

I'm looking forward to seeing Tameka and Gorka and AJ and Claudia tonight.

It's not Lesley and Anton and it's not Naga and Pasha.

Robbie and Oksana are definitely on the same page so they have their own thing going.

Greg and Natalie are comfortable together and a good team.

I'd say Laura and Giovanni have the best chemistry.
The CCC wasn't as good as I expected, and after watching it back, I think Gio was a bit over-ambitious. He choreographed a lot of arm work for Laura, which is a high skill level at that speed (it was a quick pace CCC tune for a celeb). The only celeb I recall with those arm skills was Kara (at Rumba speed). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUbWghzNbyw
I also think a dress like Kara's would have worked better than the carwash dress they gave Laura to spin.

OOPS! - forgot Ore and Joanne!
I think they genuinely get along well. Don't know if they can do chemistry on the dance floor. Ore does seem to be trying to please. I saw him present the Olympics, and I think he will do better to just be totally his normal self (it is a reality Show). He is lively enough normally (and likeable) and will come across as more genuine.

BIB - I totally agree!

He probably could have cut the content back by a decent amount and made sure that the technique was solid.

I feel like he's trying to hold Laura up to the same standards as Georgia - and as someone without any performing arts training, she simply won't be able to meet those expectations (to begin with, anyway!)

On last night's evidence Greg & Natalie without a doubt!!
Ore & Jo probably second for me!!
The rest I'll reserve judgement till I see more of them!!

Have to disagree there, I think Giovanni's seen in training the potential Laura has and wants to showcase that and challenge her. I like that he gave her so much Cha Cha content, Laura showed that she could cope with it while also giving a confident, charismatic and musical performance. They can work on the individual technique for each dance.

The high level of content gained them their sev-ern from Len, Giovanni should keep challenging Laura in my view. I want to see the Latin and Ballroom dances they're supposed to be doing, not showdances with distractions. Excited to see how far they can go in the competion.

Ochre, don't get me wrong, I think Laura shows loads of potential!

I just mean that I think it was a case of too much, too soon. As someone like Laura, without a performing arts background - she's not going to have that confidence and convinction in her movements yet, regardless of any natural talent.

I think easing her into it will yield far better results than choreographing everything but the kitchen sink

I think Laura has done a bit of acting and some dance classes, but not as much as Georgia.

It may be that Laura was better in training (it looked that way to me), and that could explain her being the opener for the new Series - they had maybe seen her do it better in rehearsals?

Yes, cutting back a bit on content and working on technique can pay off later on - as long as there is a 'later on'.

I thought she'd just done some Irish dancing? Or is that just the official statement?

Well, I suppose only time will tell. There is real potential there, though.

Laura mentioned playing Lady Macbeth and has been offered an acting role in Dublin after Strictly, and Caroline Flack said Laura had gone to the same dance class as her, so I think she has done some of both, but not much.

Ah yes, I remember Lady Macbeth's hip-hop breakdown at some point during the play!

I didn't know Caroline had said that though - that's interesting, thanks!

Laura has got some performing arts background, she attended the Leinster School of Music and Drama in Dublin and completed her Diploma in Performance around the same time she was chosen to present on MTV Europe. She's returning to the stage in the tour of the Peter James play 'Not Dead Enough' in January.

I think she did show conviction in her movements and has a strong presence on the dancefloor. It would be a mistake to cut back on the content particularly in such a competitive year. Now the Week One nerves are out of the way I reckon she'll make very quick progress.

Totally agree with you. We have to understand that when people are nervous, first thing to go is their knees. I am sure Laura will shine from next week.

I thought that Rob and Oksana had the best on-stage chemistry out of the couples in the first show.