Strictly: Bruce and Tess introduce first show in 2004 "Nice to see you, to see you nice," was what was going through Strictly Come Dancing fans' minds on Saturday night. The reason was that BBC4 decided to air the first-ever episode of the long-running series, which kickstarted in 2004, likely to honour the show's upcoming 20th anniversary. Celebs who starred in the debut season were David Dickinson, Lesley Garrett, Verona Joseph, Natasha Kaplinsky, Martin Offiah, Erin Boag, Christopher Parker, Claire Sweeney and Jason Wood.
They were accompanied by pro-dancers Camilla Dallerup, Anton du Beke , Paul Killick, Brendan Cole, Erin Boag, Hanna Karttunen, John Byrnes and Kylie Jones. As for the judges , fans saw the late Len Goodman , Arlene Phillips, Craig Revel Horwood , and Bruno Tonioli return to the panel - and not forgetting the beloved Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly as hosts. READ MORE: Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima planned double date 20 minutes before axe The class of Strictly Come Dancing 2004 (Image: BBC4) The trip down memory lane had fans reminiscing the good old days.
Taking to X, formally Twitter , viewer @RyanTheSoapking shared: "Seeing Len on the panel is making me emotional." Another fan @joyceJo49834475 echoed: "Thanks #bbc4 a real blast from the past, the first #Strictly. It was lovely to see it again with dear Brucie & Len.
The fabulous orchestra & the beautiful, dulcet tones of @TommyBlaize. Strictly was a lot different those days, keeeeeep dancing." And @.