The countdown is over for fans tracking entertainment news Ireland, as Strictly Come Dancing has unveiled the full slate of dances and songs for its first live weekend. With a fresh hosting line-up, strong launch ratings and a cast mixing soap stars, athletes and reality TV names, the BBC ballroom favourite is wasting no time turning up the heat.
After last weekend’s launch show revealed the pairings, the next big moment arrives on Saturday evening, when all 15 celebrity contestants step onto the floor for their first scored performances. The opening live show is also expected to be a major talking point across TV news Ireland and wider Irish entertainment news, especially after the series pulled in a peak audience of 5.8 million for its opener.
Strictly’s first live show line-up is packed with variety
The first weekend line-up promises a broad mix of ballroom and Latin, with everything from quicksteps and foxtrots to sambas and tangos on the bill. In one of the most buzzed-about pairings, Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu are set for a quickstep to Celeste’s Stop This Flame, while singer Delta Goodrem and Kai Widdrington tackle a samba to Baiana.
Jaime Winstone and reigning champion Carlos Gu take on a tango to Donna Summer’s I Feel Love, while Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola bring Whitney Houston energy to the floor with a cha-cha to How Will I Know.
- Melanie Walters and Aljaz Skorjanec: cha-cha to Don’t Go Breaking My Heart
- Dame Sarah Storey and Julian Caillon: quickstep to C’est Magnifique
- Tabby Stoecker and Mark Karmalita: jive to Animal
- Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby: quickstep to I Just Might
More standout routines set up a strong opening weekend
Elsewhere, Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden are lined up for a tango to No Roots, while Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley perform a cha-cha to the Smokey Joe’s Cafe version of Hound Dog. Social media figure John Nellis and Katya Jones will dance a foxtrot to Alex Warren’s Ordinary, adding a contemporary pop note to the first live show.
Lawrence Robb and Jowita Przystal are taking on a paso doble to Harry Styles’ Aperture, while Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr perform a cha-cha to Lil Boo Thang. Dani Dyer-Bowen is confirmed for a samba with Nikita Kuzmin, and Will Best joins the samba line-up with Dianne Buswell to Robbie Williams’ Rock DJ.
Opening group number and new-era energy
The live show will begin with a group performance from the hosts, judges and professional dancers, set to an orchestral version of Raye’s Joy. That opener should help cement the new-look feel of the programme after the arrival of Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe as hosts.
For viewers following latest entertainment news Ireland and trending entertainment Ireland, the format refresh is nearly as notable as the celebrity cast itself. A strong first live show could quickly set the tone for the full season and dominate weekend conversation across pop culture Ireland.
Why this matters for weekend viewing
Strictly remains one of the biggest fixtures in TV and streaming Ireland, even in an era crowded with reality formats and on-demand viewing. Its blend of nostalgia, live jeopardy and family appeal keeps it firmly in the what to watch Ireland conversation every autumn.
Key details for viewers:
- First live show airs Saturday at 6.15pm
- Broadcast on BBC One
- Also available on iPlayer
- Features 15 celebrity performances plus opening group number
For anyone keeping up with entertainment news Ireland, this opening weekend feels like the true starting gun. The music choices are bold, the pairings are intriguing and the early ratings suggest viewers are ready to follow every step, stumble and standout score.
