First routines on Strictly have ranged from the sublime (Zoe Ball & Ian scoring 35 in Series 3) to the ridiculous (Quentin Wilson & Hazel scoring 8 in Series 2).

In this week’s blog, we crunch the numbers to see which specific scores for a ‘first routine’ have most often been the precursor to an eventual place in the Final.

Which Strictly dance styles have been performed the most (and least) in the show’s first week and which may be linked to a greater chance of eventual success for a celebrity? Here we look back over the show’s first dances to find out.

Last night’s dance scores suggest 2022 will be a bumper Strictly season. The second highest average score for first dances on the series ever!