Strictly Come Dancing Week 1 leaderboard sets early tone for season

Karen Carney and Carlos Gu topped the Strictly Come Dancing Week 1 leaderboard with 31 points, kicking off the new season on a strong note as judges' marks set the initial tone for the competition. The tally, compiled from the opening performances, signals a competitive start and provides an early snapshot of potential frontrunners as audiences begin voting.

Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin finished in second place with 28 points, a position matched by Lewis Cope and Katya Jones. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley were close behind in fourth on 27, while George Clarke and Alexis Warr and La Voix with Aljaž Škorjanec each recorded 24 points. Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington held 23, followed by Stefan Dennis and Dianne Buswell with 22; Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe at 21; Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer on 19; Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola at 17; Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon also 17; Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden 16; Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova 14; and Ross King and Jowita Przystal rounding out the field on 10.

The Week 1 results mark the opening chapter of the season, with voters and judges starting to shape the early standings as performances set the pace for the coming weeks. As audiences respond to the pairings and routines, producers will be watching for momentum that could lift teams into the middle of the pack or push frontrunners further ahead.

The participants span a cross-section of public figures, from sports stars and actors to reality TV personalities, reflecting the show's broad appeal in culture and entertainment. Viewers will follow Week 2 as the competition intensifies and new narrative threads emerge across the ballroom.