A modest start to Strictly

Seann Walsh and Katya Jones failed to wow Strictly judges with their tango to Justin Timberlake’s 2006  hit Sexyback tonight.

They scored 18 out of a possible 40 points for their first dance in the series, which they based around BBC One drama Bodyguard.

It placed them third from bottom - six points ahead of bottom-rated Susannah Constantine and Anton Du Beke - but there is no vote to evict anyone from the show in the first week.

 Craig Revel-Horwood, always the strictest of the judges, accused Walsh of manhandling his partner, and awarded just there points.

They were also penalised  for an illegal lift at the end of the dance. However they laughed it off as ‘more of a chuck’. Walsh joked: ‘It’s the "Seann chuck". It’s what I do.’ 

Darcey Bussell praised Walsh's focus, but thought his performance was 'a bit grabby', while Bruno Tonioli thought he was the 'wild man of tango' but said he needed greater control and accused him of 'throwing Katya with disregard'

Shirley Ballas criticised Walsh's appearance, attracting some backlash from fans. She said: ‘I think you’re a very good looking man and I love your hair, but when I watch tango I wanna see something just a little bit more classic. Maybe tie it back a little bit and keep it free for the Latin.‘

Red Dwarf's Danny John Jules, one of the favourites, scored 27 from judges tonight, despite dancing with an injury that required him to bandage his toes

Walsh had previously accused the producers of having a 'sarcastic sense of humour' in giving him Sexyback.

Before the show, Walsh had said: 'I know I’m a comedian but this is the one time when I am in front of an audience that I don’t want them to laugh. I’m serious about learning to dance and showing viewers what I can do.'

He is a 66-1 outsider to take the glitterball, according to the bookies.

Earlier this week, Seann dropped Katya during training.

Although the incident was not captured on film, the immediate aftermath was posted on Instagram.

After hearing a thud, a look of terror flits across Seann's face, before he put his head in his and says: 'Imagine how bad I feel.'

To which a peeved-looking Katya responded: 'You should.'

Published: 22 Sep 2018