Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inLauren MorrisSaturday 26 September 2026 21:57 BSTJohn Nellis & Katya Jones during the live show for the BBC1 dance competition, Strictly Come Dancing (PA)Northern Irish social media creator John Nellis and his dance partner Katya Jones topped the leaderboard on the first live show of Strictly Come Dancing, scoring 31 points for their foxtrot to Alex Warren's Ordinary.Australian singer Delta Goodrem followed closely in second place alongside Kai Widdrington with 29 points for their samba, receiving strong praise from judges Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood.The episode launched a new hosting dynamic featuring a presenting trio of Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe, who shared presentation duties between the judges' table and the balcony.Dani Dyer-Bowen made her delayed debut on the show scoring 22 points, while EastEnders star Lacey Turner scored 27 points, and a three-way tie at the bottom of the leaderboard saw Melanie Walters, Shaun Wright-Phillips, and Dame Sarah Storey each receive 15 points.No couples were eliminated as the opening show did not feature a public vote, with the competition set to continue next Saturday for movie week.In fullStrictly Come Dancing 2026: Viewers give verdict on new hosts after ‘messy’ live showMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in