Strictly Come Dancing is back – and Amy Dowden gives star performance
Strictly Come Dancing has returned for its 20th anniversary series – launching with pizazz as usual, despite the controversy surrounding the show in recent months.
Hosted by Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, the opening show saw this year’s celebrities – including former England footballer Paul Merson, TV presenter Nick Knowles, JLS star JB Gill, singer Toyah Willcox and Olympic hockey gold medallist Sam Quek – paired with their dancing partners.
It also marked the return of professional dancer Amy Dowden, who underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy after being diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023. Dressed in hot pink, the 34-year-old Welsh star took centre stage during a group performance to a medley including Dua Lipa’s Training Season and Jungle’s Busy Earnin’.
The emotional number ended with a hug between the star, who now has “no evidence of disease”, and her fellow professionals.
The celebrities and dancers have all been paired. Pic: BBC/Guy Levy
Strictly returns following a wave of controversy over the alleged treatment of celebrity contestants from previous series – which has led to chaperones being introduced to be present “at all times” during rehearsals.
An investigation was launched by the BBC following allegations made about Giovanni Pernice by actress Amanda Abbington, who took part in 2023, but the findings are yet to be revealed.
Pernice, who left the show, has strongly denied the claims. His departure was followed by that of fellow dancer Graziano Di Prima, after a complaint was raised about his behaviour towards reality star Zara McDermott. Afterwards, Di Prima said he “deeply” regretted the events that led to his departure but said he “wasn’t meaning to kick” McDermott.
TV presenter Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk. Pic: BBC/ Ray Burmiston
Former England footballer Paul Merson is partnered with Karen Hauer. Pic: BBC/ Ray Burmiston
‘You could end up killing the show’
Earlier on Saturday, Strictly’s co-creator, Karen Smith warned continued criticism “could end up killing” the much-loved series.
Speaking to BBC News, the former executive producer said it was “terrible” to think of how the production, celebrities and dancers felt, but added: “It would be a shame if it was picked apart to death and was allowed to die.
“Because journalists, if you keep picking and you keep criticising, you could end up killing the show that you spend weeks and months of the year talking about. So, be careful.”
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But the controversy was not addressed during the opening show of this year’s series, which was full of glitz and glamour, a rainbow of pastel and sherbert colours – and a retro opening dance number mash-up including songs by Vengaboys, Whigfield, 2 Unlimited and Gina G.
This year’s line-up also includes Chris McCausland, who is the first blind contestant on the show, opera singer Wynne Evans, reality TV star Pete Wicks, Gladiator and Olympian Montell Douglas, EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick, Olympian Tom Dean, and Morning Live resident doctor and NHS GP Dr Punam Krishan.
Singer Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones. Pic: BBC/Ray Burmiston
JB Gill and Amy Dowden. Pic: BBC/Ray Burmiston
‘It feels like my first year again’
Also taking part are Love Island star Tasha Ghouri – the second deaf contestant to compete after former EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis won the series with Pernice in 2021 – X Factor winner Shayne Ward, and Miranda actress Sarah Hadland.
Dowden, who is paired with JLS star Gill, said: “I’m delighted, it just feels like my first year all over again. I just want JB to have the best time and fall in love with dancing.”
Gill said of Dowden: “She’s brilliant, plus she’s got experience with popstars, so I know I’ll be in good hands.”
Willcox, who has been partnered with dancer Neil Jones, said she was “in heaven” to be dancing with him, and promised she would be the first pensioner to “abseil through this studio”.
McCausland, who is partnered with Dianne Buswell, joked: “We’re going to make mistakes and have a laugh about them. Then we’re going to turn up here and show you all of the mistakes that we’ve learnt.”
Dean warned the audience he has “delicate feet” as he is not used to being on land. “We don’t do any land stuff, no running or jumping, so I’ve never really gone against gravity in my sporting career,” he said.
Entertainment
BAFTA Games Awards: Astro Bot tops leaderboard – with psychological horror close behind
Astro Bot was the big winner at this year’s BAFTA Games Awards, taking home five prizes, including the coveted best game.
The 3D platformer, which was launched to critical acclaim in September to mark PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, was nominated for eight gongs, while Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, led with 11 nods.
But in the end, the critics – some of whom had dubbed Astro Bot a “perfect game” – were right as it dominated the awards at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, hosted by comedian Phil Wang for the second year running.
Astro Bot. Pic: Team Asobi
Nicolas Doucet with his five awards for Astro Bot. Pic: PA
BAFTAs for audio achievement, game design, animation, and best family game completed the set for developers Team Asobi, who designed multiple galaxies and dozens of levels for the titular Astro to journey through, retrieving spaceship parts and rescuing lost robots.
“We’re a team based in Japan, but we have over 12 nationalities. We really mix it up and get ideas from everyone,” Nicolas Doucet, president of Team Asobi, told Sky News.
“We do a lot of jokes in the game, but the joke has a different meaning depending on where you are in the world. So it’s really, really nice to go around and ask everyone ‘is that joke fine in your country?’ And then together we come to a kind of universal playfulness.”
Among the gongs for Astro Bot was the best game award. Pic: BAFTA
It’s a very different atmosphere than that generated by British psychological horror Still Wakes The Deep, which won three awards for best new intellectual property and best supporting and leading roles.
Compared to John Carpenter’s 1980 sci-fi horror The Thing but on a Scottish oil rig, the game sees players take on the role of an electrician trapped on a damaged facility while being pursued by monsters.
Still Wakes The Deep. Pic: Sumo Digital Limited
Developer The Chinese Room has been praised for using home-grown talent to voice the characters, including comedian and actress Karen Dunbar, who picked up best performer in a supporting role for voicing Finlay.
“I’ve been nominated for quite a few BAFTAs in my time in Scotland, and I’ve never won one,” said Dunbar.
“It was such a great category, so many great performances. When they shouted my name, I think I started clapping for someone else!”
Read more: See full list of winners
Still Wakes The Deep star Karen Dunbar won best performer in a supporting role. Pic: BAFTA
Meanwhile, best multiplayer game went to Helldivers II – a satirical, sci-fi shooter that sees players fight bugs, aliens and robots with the gumption and gullibility of the characters in Paul Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers.
It has gained a cult following since launching in February 2024 with so much initial interest it created server problems.
“Games for me are about connecting people and forging those bonds of friendship and the multiplayer award is exactly what it stands for,” said Johan Pilestedt, chief executive of Arrowhead Game Studios.
Helldivers II. Pic: Arrowhead/Sony
From outer space to a fictional Yorkshire town called Barnsworth. Thank Goodness You’re Here! – a cartoonish, comedy platformer – won Best British Game. Like Still Wakes The Deep, it has won praise for the authenticity of its actors and setting.
“I think it’s been a real privilege to be able to represent Barnsley on the silver screen,” said Will Todd, who is from the town and one of two game designers behind the project.
Thank Goodness You’re Here! Pic: Coal Supper/Panic Inc
Co-creator James Carbutt added: “Me and Will wrote everything in our tone of voice, quite literally. The further along development we got, the more we lent into it. I think the voices from different parts of the UK and different voices in gaming are super important, and hopefully we’re one of them.”
By the time the BAFTAs wrapped up, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II was only handed one of the 11 BAFTAs it was nominated for, technical achievement.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. Pic: Ninja Theory
But developers Ninja Theory are already adding this year’s win to a tally of five BAFTAs they were awarded for the first game in the series, which created a protagonist with psychosis by drawing on clinical neuroscience and the experiences of people living with the condition.
Blondie drummer Clem Burke has died at the age of 70
The band said Blurke had been diagnosed with cancer, and described his death as a “profound loss”.
He featured on all the Debbie Harry-fronted group’s studio albums since joining a year after their formation in 1975.
Blurke was with the band from their self-titled debut, through their 1978 classic Parallel Lines, to 2017’s Pollinator.
Drummer Burke.
Pic: Reuters
In a statement on Blondie’s Instagram, Harry and the band’s guitarist, Chris Stein, said: “It is with profound sadness that we relay news of the passing of our beloved friend and bandmate Clem Burke following a private battle with cancer.
“Clem was not just a drummer, he was the heartbeat of Blondie.
“His talent, energy, and passion for music were unmatched, and his contributions to our sound and success are immeasurable.
“Beyond his musicianship, Clem was a source of inspiration both on and off the stage. His vibrant spirit, infectious enthusiasm and rock solid work ethic touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
“Clem’s influence extended far beyond Blondie, a self-proclaimed ‘rock and roll survivalist’, he played and collaborated with numerous iconic artists.”
Burke in his performance at Festival Estereo Picnic 2023.
Pic: AP
Burke featured on Iggy Pop’s 1982 album Zombie Birdhouse and also performed with Bob Dylan, The Ramones, The Who guitarist Pete Townshend and Joan Jett.
The statement went on to say Burke had left an “indelible mark on every project he was part of”.
It added: “We extend our deepest condolences to Clem’s family, friends, and fans around the world. His legacy will live on through the tremendous amount of music he created and the countless lives he touched.”
Burke, who performed on classic tracks such as Call Me, Heart Of Glass and One Way Or Another, made his final live appearance with Blondie last year.
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Blondie performing during Glastonbury Festival in 2023.
Pic: Invision/AP
Among those paying tribute to him was Kinks guitarist Dave Davies, who said: “I feel saddened that Clem Burke was taken from us so soon.
“May he rest in peace, spectacular drumming, we were friends.”
Nancy Sinatra said: “My heart is shattered. Clem became an icon as a member of Blondie, but he was also an important part of my band, the K.A.B. I was blessed to call him my friend.
“If I ever needed him, he was there. Always. Sending healing prayers and comfort to his widow, Ellen, his family, and all who loved him.”
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