During the first live episode of Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night , professional dancer Katya Jones was caught on camera mouthing "fit" in reference to Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb. While the moment sparked social media chatter, the night was also defined by YouTuber John Nellis taking the top spot on the leaderboard.
Katya Jones's "fit" remark toward Lawrence Robb
As reported by the source, the 37-year-old professional Katya Jones was caught on the balcony during the live broadcast. After Lawrence Robb, 34, performed a Paso Doble to Harry Styles' "Aperture" with partner Jowita Przystał, Jones appeared to turn to new professional Aleksandra Isaeva and mouth the word "fit." The moment immediately drew reactions from viewers on X, with some speculating on the nature of the comment and others joking about potential show dalliances.
Robb, who is known for his role as Mackenzie Boyd on the soap Emmerdale, earned a total of 20 points from the judging panel. His score included a six from Anton Du Beke, two fives from Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas, and a four from Craig Revel Horwood. the actor is currently in a relationship with West End performer Pamela Blair, a romance the couple made public at the 2024 BAFTA Scotland Awards.
John Nellis's 31-point lead and Coral's 9/4 odds
The competitive landscape of the show saw a major shift as YouTuber John Nellis emerged as a frontrunner. Paired with the show's longest-serving professional, Katya Jones, Nellis blew away the audience with a Foxtrot to "Ordinary" by Alex Warren. The duo topped the leaderboard with a score of 31 points, a performance that has significantly impacted the betting markets.
According to the report, the bookmakers have already reacted to this early dominance. Coral has named the Nellis-Jones pairing as the favorites to win the entire competition, offering them odds of 9/4. This surge comes despite Nellis being one of the least famous contestants in the current lineup, lacking even a Wikipedia page.
The Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe hosting transition
The first live show also marked a significant era of change for the BBC production, as the show moved on from long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The new hosting trio consists of Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe,and Johannes Radebe, utilizing a revamped format where Willis and Widdicombe present from the dancefloor while Radebe conducts interviews from the auditorium.
The transition has not been without friction. The report says that viewers have offered mixed reactions to the new lineup, with some noting that Widdicombe appeared like a "spare part" next to the seasoned Willis. While Widdicombe earned some laughs for a playful "change partners" joke during the broadcast, the shift in presentation style remains a point of contention for the audience.
Will the "worst ever" lineup prove critics wrong?
A major unanswered queestion remains regarding the talent of the 2026 cast, which had been previously labeled by some as the "worst ever" lineup. it remains to be seen if the diverse group of celebrities can overcome this negative perception and build a loyal viewership. The cast includes EastEnders star Lacey Turner, 41-year-old singer Delta Goodrem, and Love Island 2025 winner Cach Mercer.
While the first week concluded with no eliminations—as scores will be combined with next week's totals—the success of this new iteration of Strictly Come Dancing hinges on whether the audience accepts both the new hosting dynamic and the celebrity roster. Whether the high-scoring performances of Nellis can carry the season's momentum is a key factor to watch.
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