The cold front did blow in and you did not survive it': Weather presenter Carol Kirkwood fails to impress on Strictly... as Helen George tops the leaderboard

PUBLISHED: 22:42, 25 September 2015 | UPDATED: 23:43, 25 September 2015

The new series of Strictly Come Dancing kicked off on Friday night with six celebrities receiving very different receptions to their debuts on the dancefloor.

BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood ended up bottom of the leaderboard after her awkward Cha Cha Cha with partner Pasha Kovalev.

Meanwhile, Call The Midwife actress Helen George waltzed to the top with a graceful performance with partner Aljaž Skorjanec.

Scroll down for video

Poor start: BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood struggled with her Cha Cha Cha with partner Pasha Kovalev

Graceful: Helen George impressed with her waltz with Aljaz Skorjanec

EastEnders actress Kellie Bright was the first to dance as she performed the tango with her partner Kevin Clifton to The Kinks' You Got Really Got Me.

All the judges were unanimous in their praise of Kellie for making a strong start, making only small points of critique and giving her a total score of 27.

Head judge Len Goodman declared: 'That was just right Kellie Bright! It was like an Alka-Seltzer, fizzy and bubbly. It got a bit loose occasionally.

'For a first dance, first night, it's fantastic.'

Sixties chic: EastEnders Kellie Bright made a strong start to the show with her tango with Kevin Clifton

Kellie was praised for her 'strong intent and purpose throughout'

Bruno Tonioli said: 'She did quite well all the way through. It's about links as well, not just the big moments.'

Craig Revel-Horwood was encouraging: 'That was absolutely marvelous. Huge surprise. The timing was good, there was control, a strong intent and purpose throughout. They're just small points for the very first dance.'

Darcey Bussell enthused: 'It was an amazing first dance of the series. You were sharp, clean, strong. It was a very daring tango. But I loved it.'

Support: Kellie's on-screen husband Danny Dyer from EastEnders was there to support her

Full of bounce: Olympic boxer Anthony Ogogo and new Strictly professional Oti Mabuse

The second to dance was Olympic boxer Anthony Ogogo and new Strictly professional Oti Mabuse.

The bronze medallist ended up splitting his trousers during his enthusiastic Jive to Wham!'s Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, which ended up with a score of 21.

There was a mixed response from judges, with Darcey saying: 'This is a very, very difficult dance for your first.

'You have a natural bounce and great energy. You were entertaining us all the way through. You could have straightened your leg a bit more, but very good.'

Craig added: 'It was very stompy and awkward... You're the best boxer we've ever had on Strictly.'

One to watch: Helen and Aljaz wowed the judges and end up with a score of 29

Next up was Call The Midwife actress Helen George and her partner Aljaž.

They performed the Waltz to With You I'm Born Again by Billy Preston and Syreeta Wright and ended up wowing the judges with their impressive first dance, receiving a score of 29 and ending top of the leaderboard.

Len exclaimed: 'Hold me upside down and smack my bottom! I can't believe this is Week 1 and we're seeing this standard.'

Darcey was full of praise: 'You were able to give such a feeling to the dance, such grace and romance, such balance. There was glimmers of Ginger Rogers there. It was fabulous.

'In the transitions, don't lift the shoulders. You are going to be beautiful in those ballroom dances.'

Full of puns: Carol started her Cha Cha Cha with a weather report

Take it on the chin: Carol and Pasha react to the judges' harsh criticism

While Helen has impressed the judges, BBC weather presenter Carol didn't fare so well.

The blonde TV star struggled through her Cha Cha Cha to Meck hit Thunder In My Heart with Pasha, ending up bottom of the leaderboard with 16.

Len tried to soften the blow with his criticism: 'It was like a summer, there were some bright spells and a little bit of cloud here and there. You have to be a little bit sharper.'

However, Craig restrained himself, but gave one cutting sentence: 'The cold front did blow in and you did not survive it.'

Using lots of weather-related puns, Bruno said: 'Total technical drought, but you kept a brave face.'

Better than expected: Daniel O'Donnell and Kristina Rihanoff received a total of 24 from the judges

Craig accused Daniel of trying to rip Kristina's arm off

Irish singer Daniel O'Donnell was a pleasant surprise as he performed the waltz to When Irish Eyes Are Smiling with Kristina Rihanoff, receiving a total score of 24 from the judges.

Darcey said: 'You danced like the perfect gentleman. Just relax your neck and look at Kristina as much as you can when you're out of hold.'

Len agreed, saying: 'Your hold could be stronger, but your footwork is the best I've seen.'

The main bit of criticism came from Craig, who declared: 'It was pretty uneventful until the point where you gave the wrong grip which nearly ripped Kristina's arm off.'

What a firecracker: TV presenter Anita Rani shocked the judges with her energetic and sexy Cha Cha Cha with partner Gleb Savchenko

Shake it: Anita and Gleb really brought the first show to an exciting end

Finally, the last couple to perform was TV presenter Anita Rani and her partner Gleb Savchenko, who danced the Cha cha cha to Clean Bandit's Rather Be, ending up with a score of 27.

Bruno said: 'You're a born showgirl. Saucy Anita! So alive, so vibrant.

'There were a couple of mistakes. Finish your arm and stretch the back of your leg.'

Craig added: 'I was shocked that is so good. A really confident performance. You threw yourself into the dance. Fantastic to see.'

The gang's all here: The judges (L-R) Craif Revel-Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli looked pleased to be back

Partners in crime: Presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are also back

Fans will have to wait until Saturday night to see the next group of celebrities perform

KATCHING MY I

Pages

Friday, 25 September 2015

Weather presenter Carol Kirkwood fails to impress on Strictly... as Helen George tops the leaderboard

The cold front did blow in and you did not survive it': Weather presenter Carol Kirkwood fails to impress on Strictly... as Helen George tops the leaderboard