Which Feud? Strictly Come Dancing's Amanda Abbington Lovingly Describes Pro Partner Giovanni Pernice "like A Little Brother" After She Hit Back At Claims She "threatened To Quit" During The Series' First Live Show.

Strictly’s Amanda Abbington once again hit back at reports of a feud with pro partner Giovanni Pernice as they hit the dance floor for the show’s first live episode on Saturday.

The 49-year-old actress described the 33-year-old dancer as “a little brother” in the recorded VT and said she “already loves him” before admitting she didn’t “get things as quickly as she wanted to.” during rehearsals.

The first live show saw all 15 couples perform for the first time, with Nigel Harmon and Katya Jones topping the leaderboard with 32 points and Les Dennis and his partner Nancy Xu bringing up the rear with a disappointing 16 points.

Earlier on Saturday, Amanda shared a video on Instagram in which she dismissed rumors of clashes with Giovanni in a foul-mouthed tirade.

It appears she was “shocked” by his “militant and aggressive” training style and tensions between the two escalated.

Which feud? Strictly’s Amanda Abbington, 49, once again hit back at reports of a feud with pro partner Giovanni Pernice, 33, as they hit the dance floor for the show’s first live episode on Saturday

Happy as Larry: The actress described the dancer as “a little brother” in the recorded VT and said she “already loves him” before admitting she hadn’t “learned things as quickly as she wanted to”. ‘ during rehearsals

Strong start: The first live show saw all 15 couples perform for the first time, with Nigel Harmon and Katya Jones (pictured) topping the leaderboard with 32 points

But Amanda hit back, saying she would “ignore the cops” as she insisted everything was fine between her and Giovanni.

The duo then took the floor and performed an elegant Viennese waltz to “Pointless” by Lewis Capaldi, which received a respectable 29 points from the jury.

Shirley said: “Your fluidity, your sensitivity, your beautiful styling, you have this wonderful chemistry, I loved it.”

Anton advised Amanda to relax a little and said: “It was all great, emotionally exquisite.” I want you to breathe. If there were 30 seconds left you probably would have passed out.’

The actress was supported in the audience by her fiancé Jonathan Goodwin and her 17-year-old son Joe, whom she shares with her ex-partner Martin Freeman.

Jonathan was left paralyzed for life in a tragic accident in October 2021 after attempting to escape a straitjacket while suspended upside down 30 feet in the air.

Former EastEnders actor Nigel, 50, was tipped to be the early favorite to win the show and was declared “the one to beat” by judge Shirley Ballas after he pulled off an outstanding pasodoble with dance partner Katya Jones.

The Casualty star danced to Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ and received universal praise from all four judges, receiving a score of 32 out of 40.

Gutted: Meanwhile, Les Dennis ended up at the bottom with a disappointing 16 points (pictured with pro partner Nancy Xu)

Well done! The actress was supported in the audience by her fiancé Jonathan Goodwin (right) and her 17-year-old son Joe (left), whom she shares with her ex-partner Martin Freeman

No signs of trouble: Despite the rumors, the two appeared relaxed, with Giovanni placing his hand on Amanda’s shoulder as they listened to the judge’s feedback

Strictly speaking: Week 1 leaderboard

Nigel Harman and Katya Jones – Paso Doble to Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana – 32 out of 40 points

Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin – Samba to Touch by Little Mix – 29 out of 40 points

Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola – Jive to Can’t Tame Her by Zara Larsson – 29 out of 40 points

Bobby Brazier and Diane Buswell – Foxtrot to All About You by McFly – 29 out of 40 points

Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice – Viennese Waltz to Pointless by Lewis Capaldi – 29 out of 40 points

Angela Rippon Kai Wrrington – Cha Cha to Get The Party Started by Shirley Bassey – 28 out of 40 points

Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe – Cha Cha to Uptown Girl by Billy Joel – 28 out of 40 points

Angela Scanlan and Carlos Gu – Tango to Prisoner by Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa – 23 out of 40 points

Eddie Kadi and Karen – Quickstep to Two Hearts by Phil Collins – 22 out of 40 points

Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Lauren Oakley – Cha Cha to Boom Shack A Lack by Apache Indian – 22 out of 40 points

Jody Cundy and Jowita Przystał – Quickstep to “I’m On Top Of The World” by Bobby Darin – 21 out of 40 points

Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk – Cha Cha to Waffle House by Jonas Brothers – 19 out of 40 points

Zara McDermott and Graziano Dr. Great – Cha Cha to Crush by Jennifer Page – 19 out of 40 points

Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez – Waltz to Run To You by Whitney Houston – 18 out of 40 points

Les Dennis and Nancy Xu – Tango to Don’t You Want Me by Human League – 16 out of 40 points

“That was the dance of the night,” announced Craig Revel Horwood, while Motsi Mabuse added: “That was spectacular at the end of the night, unbelievable.”

Anton Du Beke also praised the actor and reminded the audience that it was not easy for the star to end the show.

Viewers took to X/Twitter to praise Nigel for his performance, writing: “Nigel was amazing!” “I could just watch this paso over and over again.”

Another added: “That was extraordinary.” Nigel Harman’s performance was amazing. Katya Jones is an incredible choreographer.’

A third wrote: “Nigel needs to be in the final straight away,” while a fourth said: “Top of the leaderboard and definitely worth the wait.”

Contender: Nigel emerged as the early favorite to win Strictly Come Dancing as he topped the leaderboard in the first week

Flawless: The 50-year-old actor was declared ‘the one to beat’ by judge Shirley Ballas after performing an outstanding pasodoble with his dance partner Katya Jones

Love: Meanwhile, viewers flooded social media with congratulations for professional player Amy Dowden after she made a surprise appearance on the live show on Saturday

Another viewer added: “I didn’t expect that! Brilliant!”

At the start of the episode, fans showered Amy Dowden with support after she was absent from the show as she is currently undergoing chemotherapy to battle breast cancer.

However, the Welsh dragon is still an integral part of the Strictly family, as fans have spotted him in the 2023 titles, which introduce all the couples at the start of each show alongside the recognizable theme music.

And fans have now flocked to show their support for the star, taking to Twitter to send her their well wishes.

One fan wrote: “God bless you Amy.” You’re missing this year. Get well soon, we wish you to get better and become your beautiful self again.

Another commented: “Sad Amy Dowden can’t be on this series of #Strictly – she’s always been one of my favorites and will be again! Good luck to her.”

While Amy attended the National Television Awards with her Strictly co-stars, she was unable to attend the episode of the launch show which aired last week.

And as Amy sent good luck to the Strictly contestants, fans saluted the star.

“She’s such a lovely woman with a heart full of support.” “You can beat that Amy,” another viewer added.

Skills: Angela Rippon showed off her incredible flexibility as she stretched her leg over her head in her first appearance

Wow: The broadcaster, who made history as the show’s oldest contestant, performed a very energetic Cha Cha with pro partner Kai Widdrington, 28

Sensational: Angela looked sensational in her silver fringed minidress as she performed to Shirley Bassey’s cover of Pink’s ‘Get The Party Started’, before kicking her partner and lifting her leg for the dramatic finale

While a fourth sent “Thinking of you #AmyDowden lots of love and prayers xx.”

But Amy could be back sooner than we might have thought after the star expressed her hopes of returning to Strictly Come Dancing in just a few weeks.

The dancer took to Instagram on Saturday to wish her professional colleagues and the celebrity line-up good luck for the first live show of the 2023 series on Saturday.

And Angela Rippon showed off her incredible flexibility as she stretched her leg over her head in her first appearance.

The 78-year-old broadcaster, who made history as the show’s oldest contestant, performed a very energetic Cha Cha with pro partner Kai Widdrington, 28.

Angela looked sensational in her silver fringed minidress as she performed to Shirley Bassey’s cover of Pink’s Get The Party Started, before kicking her partner and lifting her leg for the dramatic finale.

The duo impressed with a total score of 28 points for their performance, which briefly saw them top the leaderboard.

On Twitter, one fan said: “I need some tips from Angela Rippon. ‘I would love to dance like her and I’m literally half her age!’.

Later in the show, Zara McDermott looked nothing short of sensational as she hit the glittering dance floor for the first time.

Hot stuff: Later in the show, Zara McDermott looked nothing short of sensational as she hit the glittering dance floor for the first time (pictured with pro partner Graziano Di Prima)

Showing the flag: She was supported from the sidelines by her boyfriend Sam Thompson, 31 (right) and his pal and former TOWIE star Pete Wicks, 35 (left), who both wore T-shirts with Zara’s face

Gutted: The jury was divided on the performance, ultimately resulting in a disappointing 19 points

The 26-year-old Love Island star sent temperatures soaring in a sparkly white mini dress with racy cutouts, showing off her gorgeous figure in all its glory.

Her dress featured a ruffled skirt and metallic appliqués for the sexy cha-cha with pro partner Graziano Di Prima, 29.

Zara was supported from the sidelines by her boyfriend Sam Thompson, 31, and his pal and former TOWIE star Pete Wicks, 35, who both wore quirky shirts featuring her face.

The jury did not agree on the performance and in the end received a disappointing 19 points.

Craig Revel Horwood said: “It was a bit clunky and wooden, but I can see the intention was there.”

But Shirley Ballas was having none of it, adding: “Don’t listen to Craig, I don’t think he’s had dinner darling, you were lovely.”

Also looking to impress was Bobby Brazier, who delivered an emotional performance as he entered the ballroom with his partner Dianne Buswell.

The EastEnders actor, 20, performed an adorable foxtrot with the redhead as they ripped around the dance floor to McFly’s All About You.

Emotional: Bobby Brazier also wanted to impress when he entered the ballroom with his partner Dianne Buswell and delivered an emotional performance

Blown away: And it seems the routine tugged at the heartstrings as Bobby’s father Jeff Brazier shed a tear at the end of the performance

Amazing: The EastEnders actor performed a foxtrot with the redhead as they swept around the dance floor to McFly’s ‘All About You’

And it seems the performance touched the heart as Bobby’s father Jeff Brazier shed a tear at the end of the performance.

As he stood to accept the judges’ comments, Tess pointed to the father in the audience, who was visibly overcome with emotion after seeing his eldest son.

Jeff raised Bobby and his 19-year-old brother Freddie as a single father after their mother Jade Goody tragically died of cervical cancer in 2009.

The Big Brother star died aged just 27, leaving behind Bobby and Freddie, who were just four and five at the time.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman led the evening as they entered the ballroom in black and white coordinated outfits.

Appearing on stage on the BBC show, the pair kept it classy by ditching their glamorous dresses in favor of an androgynous look.

Tess accentuated her size with a pair of black PVC pants, which she paired with an open-collared white shirt.

The 54-year-old completed the outfit by placing a loose black tie around her neck while her blonde waves cascaded over her shoulders.

Wow: Tess Daly (R) and Claudia Winkleman (L) led the evening as they entered the ballroom in black and white coordinated outfits

The eye-catcher: The couple kept their style by ditching the glamorous dresses in favor of an androgynous look

Meanwhile, Claudia donned a black sheer shirt with a white collar and cuffs, peeking out from under her signature dark fringe.

The 51-year-old flashed a black lace top underneath her shirt and added a pop of color with some red lipstick.

The iconic couple opened the show by introducing the 15 celebrities and their couples who hit the dance floor together during the first week of the competition.

However, things won’t get too real too quickly as all couples will make it to the second week of the show, with the first vote taking place next Sunday.