Strictly Come Dancing: Coronation Street actress Natalie Gumede becomes 'front runner' as she tops first night leaderboard with sexy cha-cha
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The sparkly outfits are back, as Strictly Come Dancing kicks off its latest series with performances from its first six nervous celebrities.
Coronation Street actress Natalie Gumede and partner Artem Chigvintsev were the final couple to perform on the night, as they took to the floor with their cha cha routine.
The hardworking 29-year-old, who said the routine was 'extremely tough', was declared the competition's front runner by tough-to-please judge, Craig Revel Horwood.
Wearing a beautiful, white fringed dress, Natalie went straight to the top of the leaderboard with a score of 31.
Front runners: Natalie Gumede and partner Artem Chigvintsev ahead of their performance
Lady in white: The pair performing the high energy cha cha
Actor Ashley Taylor Dawson was the unlucky celebrity who had to take to the dancefloor first, alongside dancer Ola Jordan, who said all the girls secretly wanted to partner the Hollyoaks hunk.
Wearing sparkly, bright pink outfits, the pair performed the Cha Cha to global hit What Makes You Beautiful, by One Direction.
The 31-year-old, who's wife was due to give birth on Thursday, was praised by Len Goodman for the upbeat dance routine which achieved an impressive score of 25.
While Bruno Tonioli said he needed to move his hips more, with Craig adding that he was 'easy on the eye.'
Pink: Ashley and Ola performing their upbeat routine to a One Direction hit
The pair, who kicked off the show, achieved an impressive first week score
Tony Jacklin and Aliona Vilani performed a romantic waltz based on a railway station goodbye for their first dance together, which they achieved a score of 16.
The 69-year-old, who's based in Florida, treated his partner to a round of golf before rehearsing on the sunny course in the American city prior to the show.
Bruno said that the golfer's nerves had shown during the dance, and added he could see the sportsman counting the steps.
Craig said that the routine was littered with errors and got worse towards the end, however Len said he encompassed the 'spirit of the show'.
Tony said the show was an 'adventure' after dancing with partner, Aliona
Mark Benton played a robber alongside Iveta Lukosiute for their attempt at the tango to the tune of Hernando's Hideaway by Alma Cogan.
The Middlesbrough-born actor said he was more used to dancing with make-up and heels in the stage show, Hairspray, than the more traditional routines on Strictly.
The 47-year-old received praise for 'dancing rather well' by Craig, while Darcy said he played the role 'brilliantly' but admitted she felt worried at the beginning.
Len added that he was shocked at how good the dance was.
Mark Benton was praised for playing the role brilliantly by the judges
Susannah Reid, who admitted she had so many questions for her Grimsby-born dance partner Kevin Clifton, performed the jive to Shake Your Tail Feather by The Blues Brothers
The 42-year-old looked stunning in a sexy, blue sequined dress for the dance, which Darcy said was full of energy.
Len said that the routine was 'chicken soup for the eyes' adding that he thought she was 'fabulous', especially as it was only the first week.
Scoring an impressive 28, Craig was the only one to criticise the presenter but added that her personality and energy was 'sublime'.
Blue: Susannah Reid with Grimsby-born dance partner Kevin Clifton
Jive: BBC presenter Susannah Reid shines during her first dance with Kevin
Re-creating a scene from the film Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Brendan Cole shone as they waltzed to the classic song, Moon River.
The 34-year-old, who admitted she was loving the glitz and glamour of the show, looked beautiful in a 1950s style backless prom dress.
The singer admitted that she had wanted to do a different dance but was praised for her 'beautiful movement' and 'gorgeous' action by Len Goodman.
Craig said her top half ruined the dance, but Darcy concluded the feedback by adding that the routine was elegant before their score of 28 was revealed.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Brendan Cole look elegant as they dance to Moon River
Sophie was praised for her 'beautiful movement' after her dance with Brendan
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2435716/Strictly-Come-Dancing-Coronation-Street-actress-Natalie-Gumede-runner-tops-night-leaderboard.html#ixzz2g8QeYI4h
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