Overview

• Camilla Kerslake agreed with Amber Gill’s view that having contestants with substantial prior dance or performing experience is unfair, calling the differences “absolutely wild.”
• Chris Robshaw and professional partner Nadiya Bychkova scored 14 for their week-one samba, placing them second from the bottom of the leaderboard.
• Criticism has focused on West End performer Amber Davies and Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope, both of whom have acknowledged previous dance or performing experience.
• Anton Du Beke cautioned that such backgrounds may help a little but differ from Strictly’s ballroom and Latin demands, and he noted those with experience don’t necessarily win.
• Kerslake also praised Robshaw’s debut on Instagram, highlighting that he had never even done a two-step before the show, while Robshaw described his marriage as solid and supportive.