Strictly Come Dancing fans were left 'cringing' by a bizarre comedy segment led by Tess Daly on the BBC One show.
The programme returned tonight for its first live show of the series, as the likes of Kym Marsh, Helen Skelton, Will Mellor and James Bye all took to the dancefloor for their first competitive dance of the series. The celebrities will be hoping to impress their family and friends as well the viewers at home - but some of the hardest to impress will be the four judges.
However, they were left puzzled by a segment ahead of Ellie Simmonds and Nikita Kuzmin's performance when Tess laid out on a sun lounger. She put her sunglasses on and laid back on the towel as she addressed the viewers at home.
Tess joked and asked Claudia what she was doing around the pool and blew the whistle as she adjusted sunglasses. She looked away from the camera as she shouted: "Claudia, you know you're not supposed to do that."
However, fans of the BBC show were confused by it all and took to Twitter to share their confusion.
"crying at this. tess, what- #Strictly," one wrote, as another added: "Tess’s 'jokes' remain the second worst thing on Strictly, after Ann Widdecombe. #Strictly." A third penned: "Stick to the day job Tess #Strictly."
A fourth wrote: "Time Tess Daly was replaced! I have to record the show so I can whizz past her! Embarrassing! #Strictly."
However, other fans rushed to praise Tess for adding some comedy to the competition.
"love how tess has already become more comical this series i love it #strictly," one penned, as another added: "special mention to tess doing a bang up job as always! #strictly."
As well as Tess and Claudia, who host proceedings, the four judges - Shirley Ballas as head judge, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton du Beke - sit on the panel to give their professional opinions on the dances and their all important marks!
Speaking about being a judge, Anton shared: "I'm loving it. I do watch some of the pros and get a bit of dance envy, thinking, 'I wish I could have been a part of that'. But judging is so much easier on the knees.
"My favourite thing about the show is the joy it brings everybody, the joy it brings my family and the joy it brings me. I love that feeling of lifting everybody up, which I think was highlighted through lockdown."
He added: "I can't believe, well I can, it has been going for so long and we have a new audience coming every year."
Head judge Shirley shared: "I think people keep tuning in because it's a family affair. It's something to look forward to on cold winter nights. It's a bit of Vegas, glitz and glamour, glitterballs, bangles and beads."
*Strictly Come Dancing returns live at 6:30pm on Saturday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
