STRICTLY Come Dancing fans have threatened to “switch off” after they quickly spotted that THREE show favourites were missing.
The BBC dance show returned on Saturday amid the scandal surrounding the alleged behaviour by former show pros Graziano di Prima and Giovanni Pernice.
The pairings were also revealed for the first time in the pre-recorded episode.
The contestants met with their pro partner but the by the end of the programme, Strictly fans realised three of their favourites had been left without a celeb.
Michelle Tsiakkas was given her first ever celebrity – having been paired with EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick – returning pro Aljaž Škorjanec was also given a partner in the form of Love Island‘s Tasha Ghouri.
And Neil Jones was also given a celebrity this year, with singer Toyah Wilcox.
That meant Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Kai Widdrington were not given a celebrity to train.
Some viewers were gutted that they had been benched for this series.
One devastated fan wrote: “How can you not give Kai a partner?!”
A second said: “No Kai, Carlos or Lauren….”
“Why hasn’t Kai got a partner…… what have I missed,” this viewer asked.
A fourth commented: “So gutted that Lauren isn’t partnered this year but that’s just the way it is.”
Someone else defended the pairings and said in response to those threatening to switch off: “So many moaners on here, if you aren’t happy don’t watch it simple as that!”
This person was chuffed for the return of Amy Dowden but was left gutted that Carlos Gu was not back full-time, writing: “Fantastic opening and lovely to see Amy back but why isn’t Carlos paired up?????”
And another added: “Gutted Lauren didn’t get a celeb partner this year.”
Strictly was back with a bang on Saturday and finished the episode with a group show dance.
Many viewers at home praised the chemistry between Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał – with some even salaciously joking that they will be hit with the Strictly ‘curse’ this year.
Fans were also excited to see Chris McCausland preparing to take to the floor with Dianne Buswell.
However, there was one couple in particular that audience members predicted would walk away in winning place.
Taking to social media, many claimed Amy Dowden and JLS singer JB Gill will come out victorious.
It marked her dramatic comeback to the Strictly dance floor for the first time in a year after a battle with cancer took her out of the competition.
Viewers were left in tears as she fronted a big dance number with all the other pros.
And, hot off winning the NTA for Talent Show of the Year, Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke once again took their seats on the judging panel.
Audiences at home were quick to notice Craig’s facial hair, with many rushing online to praise the bold transformation.
2023 winners Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola even returned to the ballroom with their fiery paso doble to 2WEI’s cover of Faithless’s Insomnia.
In one hilarious moment, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick was accused of ‘cheating’ by opera singer Wynne Evans.
It’s all because he won the Christmas Special last year.
When host Claudia Winkleman turned to Jamie to talk to him at one point, Wynne called out “cheat!”
Pete said he was, as “you’re only here once” before adding with perfect timing: “Unless you’re Jamie.”
Despite the controversies, the hit BBC show continues to enjoy strong public support in its 20th year on the box.
