The hotly anticipated 2023 edition of Strictly Come Dancing returned to screens on Saturday with a bang and saw 15 celebrities perform for the first time in their couples.
Everyone performed to their full potential, but it was well-known journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy who left judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke highly impressed with his electric dance moves during Saturday night’s opening show.
The 53-year-old, who suffers from a genetic heart condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, took on the dance to Apache Indian’s “Boom Shack A Lack”, earning 22 out of 40 points with partner Lauren Oakley.
The audience gave him thunderous applause as Krishnan set the dance floor on fire with his performance.
After the performance, judge Craig Revel Horwood said, “I am not going to be able to watch you on the news ever again. I felt like I was at a rave.”
Shirley Ballas agreed with Craig and added, “You have something, you have a gift. Natural co-ordination.”
Dressed in a bright orange suit, the newsreader himself admitted that he “couldn’t stop smiling” as he performed the Cha Cha Cha with partner Lauren Oakley.
Fans of the show took to X to shower praise on the journalist and said that it was great to see a more fun side to the journalist and broadcaster in contrast to his serious appearances on the news.
“Was so ready to cringe but maybe Krishnan will end up being this year’s Bill Bailey #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing,” one user wrote.
“Watching Krishnan do the news you don't see much of their personality but this is what strictly is about. Lots of energy. be interesting to see the journey you go through,” wrote another.
Some of them called Krishnan a ‘legend’ after his performance.
Strictly Come Dancing contestant Nikita Kanda with Gorka Marquez (Photo credit: BBC/Guy Levy)
Nikita Kanda, another journalist on the show, was not far behind in terms of her score. While Krishnan scored 22 points, Nikita, who is partnered with Gorka Marquez, scored 18 out of 40, beating only Les Dennis and partner Nancy who got a score of 16.
Actor Adam Thomas and his professional dance partner Luba Mushtuk also delivered a Cha Cha Cha for their first Strictly performance and secured a score of 19 from the judges.
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