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Strictly 2025 Week 1: Leaderboard in full revealed as fans peg Karen Carney and George Clarke as potential winners


It's Week 1 of Strictly and while there's been plenty of drama away from the dancefloor, we can't wait to see our celebrities dance for the first time!


Claudia Winkleman with Strictly stars
Matthew Moore
Matthew MooreSenior Evening Writer
Updated: September 27, 2025
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  • It's Strictly first live show of 2025
  • Stars to head to the dance floor for the first time, with Amber Davies replacing Dani Dyer
  • Chris Robshaw opens series with a samba
Senior Evening Writer

Lewis is on point!

Lewis came into the show late, but his moves weren't lying. Motsi's mouth was on the floor as he showed off his acrobatic skills, and mine certainly was! Lewis will be going far in this competition.

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Senior Evening Writer

'Very good' comments from the judges

Craig was lost for words, saying it was only "very good". Motsi noted his "arms were all over the place", but she was also very impressed with the routine, and Shirley said there was "plenty to like", but said the routine was "overloaded".

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Senior Evening Writer

Lewis' scores

With comments like that, we're not surprised at all that Lewis shot straight to the top of the leaderboard with a score of 28, a full set of 7s from the judges.

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Senior Evening Writer

Ross takes us to California, gurl!

Okay, so Ross is not going to win this competition, but gosh, I hope he goes far. That might be my favourite routine of the night and I was laughing all the way through. Go on, Ross!

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Senior Evening Writer

The judges share their thoughts...

Shirley loved Ross' "attitude", but had a lot that she disliked during the performance. Anton also noted issues with the routine and called on the star to correct his leg work. Craig called it "awkward" and "pigeon-toed", before calling on Motsi to "save the day"!

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Senior Evening Writer

Ross' scores

Ross made it to the bottom of the leaderboard only scoring 10 for the routine. Both Craig and Shirley awarded a two, while Motsi and Anton fetched their three panels.

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Senior Evening Writer

George's first dance

George Clarke has been speaking down his dance abilities, but he is such a dancer! His lifts with Alexis Warr (not Carr as I might have said previously) is a star in the making!

Alexis Carr and George Clarke on Strictly Come Dancing© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston
George is a dancer in the making
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Senior Evening Writer

Here's what the judges had to say...

Craig said George had "amazing potential" for someone who had never danced, while Anton was impressed, while advising on how to stand. Motsi called his performance "humble" and spotted George's smile.

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Senior Evening Writer

George's scores

Another set of high scores thanks to George. He earned himself 24 with a full set of 6s. And yes, you can hear me shouting undermarked at my TV screen.

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Senior Evening Writer

Vicky conquers her nerves

Vicky has been speaking a lot about her nerves, but the TV star conquered them and delivered a brilliant cha-cha-cha. Was it perfect? No, but I really enjoyed it, Vicky might go far.

Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington on Strictly Come Dancing© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston
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Senior Evening Writer

Vicky's comments from the judges

The judges agreed that Vicky had "nothing to fear", and Craig and Motsi ended up disagreeing over how "connected" the star was during the routine. Shirley said Vicky had great footwork and flexibility, and also praised the star's personality.

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Senior Evening Writer

Vicky's scores

Vicky was awarded a score of 23, with a five from Craig and three 6s from the rest of the judges!

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Senior Evening Writer

Jimmy burns the floor

Who thought Jimmy would be that speedy in his quickstep? Not the best dance, but Jimmy is looking like someone who won't be an early out.

Promotional image of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston
Jimmy tackled the quickstep
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Senior Evening Writer

Judges deliver their critiques

Craig thought Jimmy was "picking his feet up" too much, but called him "confident", while Shirley said that the former footballer had "set the bar high". Motsi was similarly impressed and noted the star's smile, but called on him to "sell" the dance more.

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Senior Evening Writer

Jimmy's first scores

Jimmy was given a 27 for his dance, one of the highest of the night! Craig gave a six, while the other judges all gave sevens.

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Senior Evening Writer

Balvinder shake, shake, shakes her booty!

Balvinder had the tricky samba as her first dance, but that energy, omg, she brought it! Balvinder won't be going home anytime soon with moves like that.

Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon on Strictly Come Dancing© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston
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Senior Evening Writer

Feedback from the judges

Anton was really impressed with Balvinder from "the waist up", less so the wasit down. Craig said there was "no bounce" and called it "messy", but noted that the couple threw "everything" at the performance. Motsi even thought that dance came "easily" to the EastEnders actress.

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Senior Evening Writer

Balvinder's score

Despite the fact I loved it, it seems the judges didn't. Balvinder only got a 17 for the dance with three fours and a five.

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Senior Evening Writer

Glitch on air

Claudia went to throw things over to Tess, but nothing moved. As is live TV, the presenter thought on her feet having another small chat with Balvinder before finally throwing it back to Tess.

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Senior Evening Writer

La Voix is going for the crown

La Voix is taking no prisoners, the drag artist completely stole the show with her American smooth! One of my favourite dances of the night, and I can't wait to see her go further! Despite the technical hitch, seems a few of them around, amazing.

La Voix and Aljaz Skorjanec on Strictly Come Dancing© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston
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Senior Evening Writer

Motsi and the judges give their thoughts

"The queen is queening," quipped Motsi as she praised the routine, while Shirley noted how much "control" La Voix seemed to exude, urging her to listen to Aljaz's body. Anton praised the routine, saying it's something he would devise. High praise from the King of Ballroom!

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Senior Evening Writer

La Voix's final score

La Voix scored a 24 for her opening dance, a full set of 6s from the judges.

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Senior Evening Writer

Thomas delivers his first dance

Thomas took on the paso doble for his first dance, and I love this dance style, but I missed the cape work. The opening was fine, but perhaps towards the lower end of the scoring, I reckon.

Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden on Strictly Come Dancing© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston
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Senior Evening Writer

The judges share their thoughts

Anton hoped for more when it came to next week, and Craig said the former Apprentice star resmebled a "tin solider" rather than the matador the dance calls for. Motsi could see the concentration and what he had learnt from Amy, but called for more "shaping" when it came to the dance.

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Senior Evening Writer

What did Thomas score?

Thomas ended up on the lower end of the leaderboard with a score of 16. It was made up of a two from Craig, a four from Motsi and two fives from Shirley and Anton.

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Senior Evening Writer

Amber smashes her first dance

Amber didn't know she'd be on the Strictly dancefloor this time last week, but the Love Island star was beautiful in her waltz. Amber will be one to keep an eye on as the series goes on, I love that she's part of this series!

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Senior Evening Writer

Judges praise Amber's debut

Shirley was touched by the routine and wondered how the couple would have done if they'd trained for two weeks like the rest of the cast. Anton called the dance "gorgeous" and said she had "enormous potential" but criticised the "frame". Craig felt the footwork was "balletic", but called Amber "naturally blessed with the neck of a flamingo". We think that's a compliment, but I won't try chatting anyone up like that...

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Senior Evening Writer

Amber nearly tops the leaderboard

With just a few days of training, Amber nearly topped the leaderboard. It was Anton who denied her a chance, awarded her just a six, while the other judges went for sevens.

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Senior Evening Writer

Karen closes the show in style

I remember being told Karen was one to watch, and how right everyone was! Her jive closed the show in style, I couldn't take my eyes off of her. She's a Lioness champion, maybe Karen will be a Strictly champion.

Karen Carney and Carlos Gu on Strictly Come Dancing© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston
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Senior Evening Writer

Karen leaves the judges speechless

Motsi was almost speechless, while Shirley compared Karen to a pro, noting she had some of the best movements, and called the performance the "best dance of the night". "That was the way to end the show, with the best dance of the night," Anton said.

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