It’s back and sparklier than ever – Strictly Come Dancing 2016 put on its dancing shoes tonight and matched up some winning couples.
This first episode just shows us who will be dancing together, before the contestants retreat to the training room for three weeks to be transformed into ballroom dancers.
How do they pad out basically picking teams into an hour and a half?! #Strictly
— Matthew Pont (@matthewpont) September 3, 2016
But viewers already had serious dancer body envy.
Right that's it. The leg envy has kicked in sooner than expected. #perfectpins #Strictly #dancers 💃🏻👯
— Beth Livesey (@Beth_Livesey) September 3, 2016
Is there any way for me to get dancer's legs without the years of dancing? *picks up crisps* #Strictly
— Maïa Dunphy (@MaiaDunphy) September 3, 2016
Ok, who else is watching this going "Yep, yep, I'd better go to the gym tomorrow then?" #strictly
— Scott Reid ⚡️ (@scottreid1980) September 3, 2016
It wasn’t long before the traditional speculation started about who this year’s real-life couples would be.
Which couple will have the first relationship. #Strictly
— governor (@davidhorspool1) September 3, 2016
Anyone spotted this year's home-wrecker yet? #strictly
— Matthew Britten (@matthewbritten) September 3, 2016
And before the celebrity matchmaking got started, we were also excited to see our favourite hosts back on screen.
My love for Claudia Winkleman has no limits. Just want to call her crazy Aunt Claudia #Strictly
— Joe Hops (@Joe_JHopkins) September 3, 2016
There seem to be an awful lot of nice contestants signed up this year – Louise Redknapp, Anastacia, Greg Rutherford, Will Young…
Kevin from Grimsby and @LouiseRedknapp Great pairing. Louise seems like such a lovely, lovely person. 😊👍🏻 #Strictly
— Kelly Florentia (@kellyflorentia) September 3, 2016
Anastacia steals the show every time she's on camera. Love her! #Strictly @bbcstrictly
— Tom Stockton (@Tom__Stockton) September 3, 2016
#strictly @GregJRutherford and Nathalie #perfectpairing Greg good luck athletics nicest man ever
— samson (@anniebelle1) September 3, 2016
Will Young is an absolute sweetheart ❤️ #Strictly
— Ellen (@Ellen_Claire) September 3, 2016
We’ve already spotted this year’s comedians – Melvin Odoom, Judge Rinder and Tameka Empson.
@bbcstrictly @Melvinodoom @JManrara Love Melvin he's crackers #StrictlyComeDancing
— Zach Bruce (@Zach_bruce) September 3, 2016
Judge Rinder is jokes ahahaha
— AD (@AlexDay96) September 3, 2016
Cannot wait to see Tameka dance. She's definitely going to be the life and soul of the party!#Strictly
— Marissa AFC (@marissatom16) September 3, 2016
But let’s be honest, Strictly 2016 is about one man and one man only. Ed Balls. Here was the reaction of pro dancer Katya Jones at being partnered with him.
And the Oscar for best fake happiness, goes to... #Strictly pic.twitter.com/klz76cYj5z
— ChrisAWykes (@ChrisAWykes) September 3, 2016
Fans could not believe what they were seeing in the group dance.
Based on that dance, Ed Balls has about as much chance of making it to Blackpool as Corbyn does to Downing St. #strictly
— Daniel Pashley (@eurodan) September 3, 2016
Let's be honest, we're all here for Ed Balls. #SCD #strictly
— Maddie Soper (@misformaddie) September 3, 2016
Ed Balls 'pouty dance face' is making me feel a bit uncomfortable #Strictly2016 #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing
— Sophie Kellett (@SophieKellett) September 3, 2016
I swear my daughter just pointed at Ed Balls and said "Daddy." #strictly
— Maria Chi-Band (@itsasheactually) September 3, 2016
His outfit drew particular attention.
What is Ed Balls wearing in the group dance?! Looks like he's going to the golf club afterwards #Strictly #Strictly2016
— The Forster-Smiths (@ForsterSmiths1) September 3, 2016
Ed Ball dressed like he's waiting for a flight #Strictly
— Emma Hood (@ECHood94) September 3, 2016
Ed Balls looks like a spangly darts player #Strictly
— Sarah Jane O'Neill (@s_joneill) September 3, 2016
But if anyone was going to distract us from Ed, it was definitely Judge Rinder.
That looked dangerously like a sex face from Judge Rinder #strictly
— WenchyLaRue (@Nic_Smith1402) September 3, 2016
The next three weeks can’t go fast enough!
