Strictly Come Dancing’s Shirley Ballas apologises after shocking audiences by kissing fellow judge Motsi Mabuse during the first live show

Strictly Come Dancing’s Shirley Ballas has apologised after shocking audiences by kissing fellow judge Motsi Mabuse during the first live show on Saturday night.

The 64-year-old dance expert was giving advice to Olympic swimmer Tom Dean and his dance partner Nadiya Bychkova on their tango performance when she gave an impromptu demonstration.

Shirley explained that style was “all in the posture” and asked Motsi to help her illustrate this point.

Anton Du Beke encouraged them as he shouted: “Go girls,” just as Shirley moved her head in a certain way and accidentally kissed Motsi.

Breaking her silence about the moment on Instagram on Sunday morning after the show, Shirley joked: ‘Sorry @motsimabuse you moved your head too soon! @bbcstrictly what did you think of last night’s show?’

Strictly returned for its 20th series on Saturday, brushing off the bullying scandal with the return of fan favourites Amy Dowden and Aljaz Škorjanec.

The BBC dance show has endured a difficult year after numerous former contestants alleged abuse by professional dancers.

Fans were delighted when Amy returned to the dance floor for a stunning waltz with her partner, JLS star JB.

Meanwhile, Aljaz performed an equally incredible routine with partner Tasha Ghouri, as they wowed the judges with a joyful Cha Cha.

Surprisingly, one star spotted in the audience was Zara McDermott, who was at the centre of a scandal when footage emerged of Graziano Di Prima “kicking” her in rehearsals, when she turned up at the show to support her friend Pete Wicks.

Amy, 34, made a glorious return, telling host Claudia Winkleman: “I’m so happy I could burst” after scoring an impressive 31 points on the dance floor.

The fan favourite performed a soulful waltz to When I Need You by Leo Sayer, thrilling judges and fans alike.

It’s a big year for Strictly as it celebrates its 20th anniversary, while Amy made her long-awaited return to the show following her heartbreaking battle with cancer.

She was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023, and in what became the most difficult year of her life, Amy underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, fertility treatment, and was hospitalized for sepsis.

However, she announced in February that she would return to the show this year after a mastectomy and chemotherapy left her with “no evidence of disease” according to tests.

JLS star JB, 37, looked delighted after the dance routine and while chatting to co-presenter Claudia, he said: “I really enjoyed learning it.”

Fans couldn’t help but praise the impressive performance, commending JB’s skills and applauding the dancer’s return to the beloved show.

Entering X (formerly Twitter) they wrote:

‘Amy Dowden is back and couldn’t be happier! #Strictly’;

‘I can’t tell you how much it warms my heart to see Amy Dowden back and I’m so happy she’s with JB #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly’;

‘My favourite couple on @bbcstrictly is @JBGill and @dowden_amy… they are both GREAT DANCERS and the loveliest people on and off screen… #JBgill #Strictly #BBCstrictly’;

‘How lovely is it to have Amy and her gorgeous smile back on our screens? #Strictly’;

“What a beautiful first dance from JB and Amy! I’m so excited to see Amy back on the dance floor with a partner. It’s going to be magical to see this partnership and I can’t wait.” #Strictly

“No one could have prepared me for Amy’s first dance being a waltz. It was stunning and I’m a mess #Strictly”;

‘A big round of applause for getting back on the dance floor. What a lovely first dance. #Strictly #SCD.’

This weekend, the fifteen celebrities and their professional partners took to the dance floor for the first live show following last weekend’s glitzy launch, where the couples were revealed for the first time.