Ruth Langsford and Anton du Beke ended up bottom of the 'Strictly Come Dancing' leaderboard as the show returned to screens on Saturday (23.09.17).

Anton du Beke and Ruth Langsford

Anton du Beke and Ruth Langsford

The 'This Morning' presenter suffered from first night nerves as she and her professional partner took to the dancefloor on the BBC One latin and ballroom show.

Whilst their waltz featured a few hiccups, Bruno did call it "a picture of loveliness and beautifulness".

Joint bottom of the leaderboard was Brian Conley and Amy Dowden, who tangoed their way to 16 points, landing them just behind Reverend Richard Coles, who arrived on the dancefloor on top of a cloud whilst playing the harp.

When asked for his comments, Craig said: "All the problems really began darling when the cloud actually landed." And when asked if there was anything else he wanted to say, he added: "There isn't enough time darling."

However, it was Aston Merrygold who topped the leaderboard, impressing with an untraditional foxtrot to 'It Had To Be You' and was labelled "one to watch" by the judges - Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli, Darcey Bussell and head judge Shirley Ballas.

Darcey told Aston and his partner Janette Manrara: "Craig is right - you're one to watch!"

Following closely behind Aston's 31 points was Debbie McGee and Giovanni Pernice, who wowed with a passionate and fiery paso doble. During the dance, Debbie pulled off some spectacular moves, prompting Craig to say: "Whatever Giovanni has done to you is working because you're dancing like a 20-year-old."

Joe McFadden and Katya Jones impressed with their car wash-themed jive.

Shirley told them: "I thought you did amazing."

Whilst Bruno added: "You bought a good polish and shine to this dance. You have a lot to live up to because this was a great first dance."

Davood Ghadami and Nadiya Bychkov's Cha Cha Cha and Alexandra Burke and Gorka Marquez's waltz to '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman' earned them fourth and fifth place on the leaderboard with 27 and 24 points respectively.

Alexandra - who tragically lost her mother only days before 'Strictly' kicked off - was visibly upset as she received great comments from the judges.

Craig told her: "Your arms are so expressive and you have a great feel for the music and this dance."

Mollie King and her partner AJ Pritchard danced an impressive jive to 'Good Golly Miss Molly' whilst Charlotte Hawkins and Brendan Cole showed off their traditional foxtrot, earning them a respectable 22 points.

'Strictly Come Dancing' returns next Saturday (30.09.17).

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