The Blackpool Ballroom extravaganza begins! ✨ BBC Strictly 2023

[@salome5055]

Joyful, wild, clever good time dance by everyone, special mention to Luba and our FABULOUS out of this world star JOHANNES slaying like only he can. I loved this. Thanks Strictly.

[@LovedByYou]

LUBAAAA 😍😍😍 such a stunning dancer, and a perfect match for a performer like Johaness.

[@classactsexpertiseandinspi4815]

Apart from the glorious Johannes the other dancer who stood out for her excellence was not a pro - it was Angela Scanlon in the white trouser suit and long red ponytail. She was Always on the beat , in step, doing great swivels, never not dancing, looked great in the right place at all times. Well done Angela and well done all.

[@leahgordon8403]

YESS angela honestly she wasn’t my fav at the the start but she’s grown on me so much and her argentine tango was amazing as well

[@cassiekirbyart]

I thought the exact same! She gave it the most, she was like a pro out in front. 👏🏻

[@sandragriffiths9692]

Love Angela S. She is a great dancer and often under marked

[@SaskiaPrescott]

The strictly come dancing cast is just out of this world ❤

[@Wellygigs]

On it takes two it was stated the opener would be about Johanas,s journey . He started hiding in a full suit, and went on to dance and dress freely. Fantastic

[@reddragonready]

Yes, almost stunning and brave how HE took on one of the female spotlight solos

[@Wellygigs]

You liked it then?

[@sandragriffiths9692]

Love Johannes, but they are all amazing.

[@sandragriffiths9692]

Robbo?

[@chalkiememe4183]

Absolutely outstanding performance from everyone, the band and vocalists included. JOHANNES and LUBA ✨

[@DaleOB95]

Luba and Johannes. Say no more! 👏🏼👏🏼

[@efremfrazier956]

Sheer perfection!!! As an American, DWTS cannot hold a candle to Strictly! I don't even watch DWTS anymore. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this! Especially the tribute to American Divas: Whitney, Diana, Lizzo, and Aretha! Congratulations on a job well done! 0:18

[@matildawallman50]

Same, Strictly just do it better

[@linzirainbow6577]

DWTS has long been fluff, smoke and mirrors. Thought a few seasons ago , when it was called out by Len, things were going to improve, but no. Now it's been taken over it really has become as tacky as the costumes have become. Strictly's professionals are the best in the business with a real desire to pass on their craft in an attempt to create plausible dancers out of their celebrities. Thank you for recognising the quality of Strictly.

[@efremfrazier956]

@linzirainbow6577 I agree WHOLEHEARTEDLY my British cousins! The production values on Strictly are OFF THE CHARTS!

[@zxaddictxz]

Agree. I stopped watching DWTS when they went for flash over quality.

[@gracefullyrachel6573]

I started watching Strictly in 2015 mind was blown like why was I watching DWTS???

[@gerardsloan1593]

Incredible. What set this apart from other inros is that it looks like everyone is having fun and a good time. This was well done. Have a good day reader :)

[@EdelweisSusie]

Do people realise that the pro dancers learn ALL these opening/show dances during August, ready for the start of SCD in September? Absolutely mind-blowing!

[@findinclay]

Most of them are filmed in august as well in front of a live audience over a few days

[@marianacastillo3622]

Oh wow, didn’t know that I thought it was during the week. The us version DWTS they learn dances during thr week. Pros come up with group dances during the week for the live shows they have

[@edannerowe-taylor3152]

@@marianacastillo3622I watch both and I didn’t know DWTS practice during the week omg 😭

[@heartlocket91]

They used to do it that way too. But Covid made them change the way they performed. A lot of the group dance’s are now pre recorded Producers liked the results so much they never changed it back. This is why Gio wasn’t seen in the group dances this year. He injured himself at the time those dances were being filmed.

[@mellybeetaylor8177]

Luba and Johannes!!!!! 💚💚💚 That rest of the were AMAZING!!!

[@emmybm15]

This was so truly wonderful! Well done so much to everyone involved ❤❤❤❤ Luba and JoJo looked so absolutely gorgeous in their matching outfits at the end! ❤❤❤❤

[@kaylaireland3494]

JoJo is just EVERYTHING!!

[@anthonymuscioni9611]

Johannes IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE QUEEN OF STRICTLY, this was my fave opening from this series!!!! Ugh I’m in love with that man 😂😢

[@elsieahern6316]

Spectacular! Outstanding performances! All so gifted!👏👏👏👏👏

[@essy1able]

I couldn't take my eyes off Layton during this, he was having a great time. Even when he was off to the side he was still dancing around lol. He's such a vibe. 😂😍

[@A_CDEFGHIJKLMNOPQR__UVWXZ]

@essy1able off to the side? he did 2 mintutes to get from the black n white, into that green outfit, Jojo disappears from 0.57, gets really quickly the green outfit on and reappears at 3.28 when he appears next to singer who repeats upside down, upside down, he is not of to the side, he is backstage in dressdepartment

[@lucianaborinato2993]

​@@A_CDEFGHIJKLMNOPQR__UVWXZKeep up! She meant Layton, not JoJo! 😅

[@DezRosswess]

This one goes into my favourites they all had a blast there and held it together well.

[@MarkReynolds-c2o]

Probably the best strictly held in Blackpool, the standard of dancing was outstanding, add all the costume, make up, music and singers, Strictly in Blackpool was definitely a 10 from the late Len.

[@pennyandfishy7241]

Loved this dance! Strictly honestly up their game every year with the group dances 😍

[@gudrunvansteenbergen7997]

This was such a great show starter. It was so much fun. Seeing how much fun they had. This is why i love dancing so much. The joy. O and JoJo. Hoe can you not love JoJo

[@tillysanders2593]

These two make me so happy watching them .. I beam like a bloody fool throughout . Theyre awesome ! 🩷🩵

[@madjamie69]

Johannes is just exquisite

[@spiderwickian]

STUNNING!!!!!!!! 💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛

[@LisaLovesStrictly]

Yes Johannes ❤️ We love you!

[@Emilyblessings007]

Jojo flawless, on another level ⭐️❤️he is special.Thank you to the singer and the band 🙏🎉🎊❤️🌟🎊🎉

[@djayejournay1882]

Just outstanding! Johannes ate that dance up! Great performance.

[@hazelrawlings5491]

Johannes slay queen . 🧡❤️💕🌷💃🏿💃🏿

[@Sally-lg1vn]

I'm literally in tears, love Strickly ❤️.This is my favourite dance of pro's and celebrity ♥️ Thank you Strickly 😊 ❤️ ♥️

[@lisaR.3]

Incredible number looked amazing on the gorgeous patterned Blackpool dance floor 🪩 I enjoyed the soul/disco mix of tunes. The forest green jumpsuits were stunning ! Johannes was SERVING glamour! YASS Queen 👏🏼 Very enjoyable cast number ! Everyone brought their A-game this season! FAB-U-LOUS ! 💃🏽 🕺🏿 🪩 ❤ 💕 🪩

[@keriives9920]

Can we take a moment to appreciate Angela's feet at the end! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@mirthasusanadeneecheverria4789]

Hermosa 🎼🎼🎼🎼🩵🎶linda coreografía 🎼🎼🎶🩵

[@blueberryxbugaboo6902]

It’s nearly the end of June and I’m still not over 2023 strictly 😢it was the best

[@Anavyia]

So gorgeous and beautiful I love Strictly soooooo much💖💖💖💖💖

[@amieedens7180]

Always love to see what Blackpool is like. It looks amazing! ❤

[@Wellygigs]

The vocals , WOW .

[@jackieb7205]

It feels so good to see Strictly Back in Blackpool

[@wirette]

This was amazing. Unfortunately it did highlight how much Angela R is struggling to keep up with the others with some of the fast stuff. This will be her week to go.

[@michellegates7047]

I came to the comments to see if anyone else had noticed this! She’s doing amazing for her age but I really think it’s her time to go…

[@derekstynes9631]

It Just Took Off Like a Rocket !!!

[@carolpaterson122]

Love love love Johannes

[@StarJada]

Amazing singing!! That you are somebody else's guy 🎶🎵🎙📢

[@sebastiankinnunen5549]

❤Absolutely Fantastic❤thank you❤love from Finland❤❤❤❤

[@geniushisfriends1260]

loved the routine

[@rachelcoxcox4849]

Absolutely loved this dancing and songs awsome xxxx

[@Swarm19]

0:19 ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😂opp

[@Noah.2110]

The best Blackpool opening I’ve seen!!!

[@carolpaterson122]

They are just having the best fun in the world !

[@suenettleton2286]

Another amazing routine and the change of costume Johannesburg was amazing 👏

[@sandragriffiths9692]

Great singer, amazing dancing, they get better and better

[@elliottbradley6302]

✨✨✨🎉 Spectacular 🎊✨✨✨👏🏽👏🏼👏🏽👏🏼🤣✨✨!!!!!!!

[@tonebalone73]

Johannes eyeing up Luba’s green jump suit and thinking he can totally outclass her and he did 😂😂😂

[@lavienestpasunlongfleuvetr2559]

No one can do womanhood better than real women.

[@adamlarsson3828]

Shirley up like a ⚡️ the second Upside Down begins.

[@melissacantrill13]

Wow fantastic it is

[@daneshadaniels2051]

Love the performance ❤

[@celiabarker]

The singer was brilliant too!

[@ronniepeterson6911]

A song from last night's event opened when the pros performed the Blackpool ___________ Extravaganza. For what song and what artist of the singers performed for their pick? Even the judges resist what taking the Blackpool Floor in a giddy Charleston dance and the stars and pros are in them. And they're based on opening group number. The Couples: Johannes Radebe and Luka Mushtuk (who both looked like sparkly Christmas tree in their jumpsuits)led us into secret speakeasy, where all the professionals said The Telegraph as we ask to borrow this article online, please, plus extra dancers these remaining celebs and the judges joined forces as well as Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly. Bonus Points for Angela Rippon who'll be explaining when we get to the recap with Nikita Kuzmin, Angela Scanlon really embracing the spirit party and for Anton Du Beke dancing on the table. It was feature in this article and ready to put on a show featuring this story will make them dance during Blackpool Night and All star and Pros are on the floor....

[@meredithgrace4337]

Strictly Come Dancing Week Nine. what a great beginning group dance for Strictly Come Dancing in Blackpool love to all the pro dances.

[@dianegarciaprieto2118]

Love all the cast❤❤❤💯👏

[@esthervandermerwe595]

All the dancers is really good,but Johannes is my favorite dancer.Viva South Africa Viva.❤

[@traceybradbury5022]

❤❤❤❤

[@samanthaharding4885]

Angie Rippon is doing a rematkable job.

[@MsGodber]

Andrea….what a vocal delight! Stunning!

[@Wellygigs]

I thought she was a " current " star. Only just found out she is a " strictly " singer !!! Amazing vocals and worthy of more recognition

[@zxaddictxz]

Luba, you looked fabulous but -sorry- dancing JoJo is divine. I will have to watch the video again, since the comments praise other dancers. (I only noticed Katya and Nadiya, they are always unmissable). Who is the singer with an amazing voice? Loved her powerful rendition of famous hits.

[@Ellacalver7333]

❤

[@stephenlunt2251]

I felt sorry for Angela. She just couldn’t keep up.

[@efremfrazier956]

Same here...I think she will be eliminated. Getting her to Blackpool as a celebratory event was the goal.

[@sandragriffiths9692]

Well, she is 79 and a half, but I agree. She should go this time.

[@aala7337]

Angela R tried but couldn’t keep up ,why strictly is fixed and she has really only danced slower dances,100% sure she’s out this weekend

[@samanthaparvia7138]

My favourite number

[@sallymarsden1710]

Can someone send me a list of the songs please

[@efremfrazier956]

I know 5: Keep on Jumping by Musique, Love Will Save the Day by Whitney Houston, Upside Down by Diana Ross, Good as Hell by Lizzo, and Think by Aretha Franklin

[@sallymarsden1710]

Thank you so much

[@adamlarsson3828]

and the very first song was Somebody Else's Guy by Jocelyn Brown. …. very, very few people ever perform it ^that well. it set the bar for the entire extended routine.

[@browenevans5747]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@theeastendboy]

Am I the only person who noticed Angela R sitting down at the fast part (towards the end) (3:34), should’ve joined in

[@sandragriffiths9692]

Probably couldn't

[@michaelaaylott1686]

She’s done excellently for a woman of nearly 80

[@adelekenny]

Giovanni🔥❤

[@naimaboukhouf]

❤❤gioooo

[@KaylM1990]

I absolutely love Graziano, Vitto, Karen, Dianne & Katya

[@buzybeeeee]

I CAN'T WAIT FOR YOU GUYS TO DANCE TO CELINE!!!

[@martineley3685]

Who sang the Song in the disco.

[@bluebuffy5]

😍 Who is the singer?

[@jennifertapia3954]

Anybody know the name and artist of the second song please?

[@gemmaharrison9913]

Love will save the day by Whitney Houston

[@disavowalf3351]

Well, I think that categorically proves that Angela R should no longer be in the competition, compared to the other celebs she just can’t keep up…she has done well but it’s time to go. Don’t vote based on someone’s age, race, disability, gender, creed, sexuality, politics, etc…vote based on their dancing skills & technique…it’s a dance competition!!

[@AQuillaFearonMusic]

ANDREA GRANT That was INCREDIBLE 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Wellygigs]

Deserves more recognition as I thought she was " a current " star....only just found out she is a strictly singer !!!! She and the rest of the singer's absolutely smashed it . But she was amazing

[@AQuillaFearonMusic]

Andrea, has been part of Show and Band for years. However because they are at the back you don’t often see them although they at time are given a shout out. What an amazing Band with hard working singing.

[@Wellygigs]

Bruce Forsythe seemed to acknowledge the orchestra and singers more... Hopefully they will get a nod in tonight's it's takes two

[@AQuillaFearonMusic]

@@WellygigsYou’re Right Bruce did mention them more often. Bless him 🤍

[@browenevans5747]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@yvewilliams3735]

FAB U LOUS!!!!!!

[@RobertEriksson-t3o]

They need a PRO Dancer as Johannes on DWTS usa

[@CorineLaFont]

I LOVEEEEEEE JOHANNNNESSSS!

[@browenevans5747]

😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@whoami1654]

Was that Kristina Rhianoff in the green doing a guest appearance

[@lisaR.3]

Luba who danced with Adam Thomas this year! She’s a fantastic pro and hopefully she is given a celeb next year again

[@eyarita]

Who was it yes?

[@lisaR.3]

@@eyarita Luba Mushtuk

[@saralindley]

No, I believe it was Luba

[@sandragriffiths9692]

Wobderful Luba

[@franzcohenfan3619]

what is the singers name she was great

[@adamlarsson3828]

the magnificent Andrea Grant.

[@franzcohenfan3619]

thank you@@adamlarsson3828

[@DavidSmith-648]

BBC, Bring back Come Dancing!

[@amelierolt2542]

johannes slayedddd⭐️🩷

[@amywonderland9297]

I don’t know why but the music just didn’t seem to blend as well? It was like they practiced the dances to different music, then at the last minute the setlist got changed 🤷‍♀️ might just be me but it felt off

[@Emilyblessings007]

Johannas ❤ is far to good for strictly come dancing,just look at him,I’m sorry,I’ve commented again 🙏he can further his career to dance at the open professional international Latin 💥i love him i do 🕺🥰🕺only saying some of these dancers need to work on there hands,some are poor.

[@JONAS-co4ut]

Nigel was by far the most entertaining routine this evening - never mind a small mistake - wonderful stuff - would like him to repeat this in a possible final! Also credit to Angelas S and her Argentine Tango - splendid! Also enjoyed Ellie (not as much as the previous weeks, though - too many lifts and not enough fun Charleston) - Bobby - yes, liked his dance for the first time! I love Angela R - but tonight nothing really happened - just a bit flat - not enough for Blackpool! Annabel - fine! Layton - meh ... lost interest weeks ago! Smashing opening number!

[@Noah.2110]

Dianne Luba Graziano Neil JoJo ❤

[@Irishgirl7]

Who is the singer? Delighted Angela Rippon is still there!

[@adamlarsson3828]

✨Andrea Grant sang all five songs.

[@juliehilton9021]

Is this Jocelyn Brown?

[@ailsawotton1653]

Why are Anton and Cra0ig on the tables though?

[@ailsawotton1653]

Also I've never seen Craig dance like that and be very happy at the same time

[@kaitlynrowena5463]

Am I the only one who thinks Bobby has made it this far cos of sympathy votes cos of his mum 🙄🙄😂😂

[@reddragonready]

So, they didn't have enough female dancers and needed one of the men to dance one of the spotlight female parts? Great opening though

[@sarahgellner8876]

I think there was meant to be a liberationary 'coming out' as 'trans' story there - see my above comment. And Luba looks thrilled to have escaped from boring old 'cishet' ballroom days into brave new rainbow-'queer' 'community'! Reality though would be v different.

[@sta-lp1lf]

Why is johannes womanfishing?

[@lavienestpasunlongfleuvetr2559]

Because he's on the BBC.

[@glorygracek.1841]

Ummmmm why is there a dude wearing a woman's outfit and make up? Or knowing now days, do I even want to know.

[@essy1able]

Because he likes to and he wants to, simple as that.

[@lavienestpasunlongfleuvetr2559]

Because it's the BBC, and they're intent on pushing gender identity ideology.

[@nickedmett1]

A truly wonderful night - ruined for me by the moronic commentary of the dances...ugghh

[@peterrush5567]

First class dancing poor singing

[@sarahgellner8876]

So this is going to make me really really unpopular . . Much as I love the dancing, and love Johannes too . . I think the Beeb popular-culture bosses need to be careful about normalising common male sexual fetish Autogynophilia, where men get sexually aroused by re-imagining themselves as women. While I'm absolutely not suggesting Johannes is doing that here - I'm sure he's just taking choreographed instructions - I saw this choreographed story as a Trans Widow's nightmare, something we'll be hearing a lot more about in years to come. This is where a mature married man, often with kids, previously a secret cross-dresser, 'comes out' as 'trans' - and his entire family is expected to celebrate. The reality though is generally devastating for them, not to mention abusive. This is why though I love gay love stories, like the ones Johannes previously featured in, I am uncomfortable with men actually pretending to BE women. It looks and feels narcissistic rather than genuinely romantic.

[@cassiekirbyart]

That's like saying we shouldn't have Mr Blobby on telly because some people are sexually aroused by wearing rubber. 🙄😂 Just switch the channel Sarah .

[@sarahgellner8876]

@@cassiekirbyart I'm taking the opportunity to make a general observation and raise awareness of an increasingly visible sexual fetish, which I think is overdue when it comes Beeb culture. It's not about me or my personal preferences, which I use only as illustration, but I suspect are widely shared. So get out of my space, Cassie!

[@cassiekirbyart]

Sure Jan. @@sarahgellner8876

[@sandragriffiths9692]

Each to their own, but I just love Johannes and Leyton, they seem vulnerable and naughty and sweet all at the same time.

[@TheMartinCannon]

@@sarahgellner8876this is everybody’s space so keep your vile BS out of it.

[@chijavier1869]

What a mess! Jojo was the only one who came out the best out of that mess.