Strictly viewers poke fun at ill-timed opening number after UK is hit by new restrictions

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Strictly Come Dancing fans were left less than impressed after the show made an ill-timed song choice for its professional group number.

The hit BBC show returned to screens on Saturday night with a pre-recorded episode to reveal who the celebrity contestants had been paired with.

However its choice of song Free by Ultra Nate in one performance caused dozens of viewers to take to Twitter, with some poking fun that the show was ‘out of touch’. 

Also during the glittering first instalment, Strictly outlined its strict social distancing measures and new ways of putting on a sensational show.

One person wrote: ‘Tonight’s #Strictly began with a pro routine to ‘Everybody’s Free’. You been watching the news this year, pal?’

While another was also confused, tweeting: ‘You’re free to do what you want to do. Strictly there, totally in touch with the times’

And someone else penned: ”Seriously…. no one thinks that the opening song choice was ridiculous!!???!, you’re free to do what you want to do…. are we heck! Rub it in.’

Agreeing with the sentiment, a fourth fan said: ‘A very strange start to Strictly, they are playing a song stating ‘you are free to do what you want to do.’ I don’t think so!’ 

Others made direct links to the new coronavirus rules which were announced this week, with London being put into Tier 2 restrictions on Friday night.  

A viewer said: ‘Whilst half the UK are suffering under extra restrictions, and the global pandemic has restricted social freedoms for billions of people, Strictly Come Dancing has decided to open with the song ‘Free’?’ 

While at least some viewers tried to see a lighter side to the song choice, with one tweeting: ‘Strictly band destroying Free by Ultra Nate, one of the most amazing tracks of the 1990’s, an in an empty room is about as 2020 as it gets.’  

‘Nothing like an Ultra Nate cover to remind over half of Britain how #Free they aren’t!!!,’ added another person on the social media platform. 

The show’s return to TV comes just a day after London, Essex and York were moved to Tier 2 restrictions and as 16,171 new cases of Covid-19 were announced.

During the night Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly also outlined how the show had adapted to the current climate and introduced safety measures.

They told the audience: ‘Earlier in the year out dedicated profesional  dancers isolated at home before moving into a hotel together and becoming a household.

‘Because of this they were able to perform their group dances together. We will explain more about that later in the show.’ 

The glam pair then continued: ‘And there are some other changes too, Tess and I are two metres apart and we have a smaller audience in household groups and socially distanced from each other.

‘And thankfully Dave Arch and his wonderful orchestra and singers are here and are able to perform safely too.’ 

It had been reported that stars and their professional partners may be forced to undertake daily checks for coronavirus after a former crew member tested positive days before the new series. 

The Sun has also claimed that bosses have a list of ‘stand-by’ celebrities for the show in case a star falls ill with relatives likely banned from rehearsals.  

This year has already seen the pros pre-record all of their group performances while isolating together in a hotel, and the couples have formed separate bubbles to train and perform together.  

The series will still feature a live audience, however fans will sit in small groups and will only be allowed to attend if from the same household or bubble.

In a recent Q and A, executive producer Sarah James shed light on the show’s contingency plans in light of the pandemic and insisted she’s ‘confident’ the competition series will go ahead even if the current coronavirus restrictions change. 

As the nation waits to see how the stars will fare, Strictly bosses have drawn up tough plans to deal with anyone who falls ill.

Sarah said: ‘Obviously according to government guidelines if you receive a positive test you have to isolate for two weeks and that would unfortunately rule them out of the show.’ 

This year’s series will be a pared down nine-week run with a very different look. The 12 partnerships – three less than usual – will be unveiled via video link rather than in the studio and the annual trip to the Blackpool Tower ballroom is also off the cards. 

Sarah also discussed how hairdressers and make-up artist have had to adjust to the new guidelines as she added: ‘Hair and make-up and costume are all allowed in accordance with government guidelines. 

‘We were able to have our hair and make-up team working with full PPE and sanitising once hairdressers and other facilities reopened. 

‘Hair and make-up were able to work with as many of the different cast as they wanted or needed to, but this year we’ll have specific makeup teams assigned to specific couples to ensure people don’t mix as much.’

During the night pairings were also revealed with Nicola and Katya Jones, Jamie and Karen Hauer, Maisie and Gorka Marquez all being matched.

Others included Caroline Quentin and Johannes Radebe, Jason Bell and Luba Mushtuk, and Max George and Dianne Buswell. 

Rounding off the Strictly duos were Ranvir Singh and Giovanni Pernice, Clara Amfo and Aljaz Skorjanec, Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse, JJ Chalmers and Amy Dowden, Hrvy and Janette Manrara, and Rt Hon Jacqui Smith and Anton du Beke.  

The launch consisted of the celebrities discovering their professional partners for the first time, though in a post-COVID change, they were instead revealed via video link. 

This will allow for couples to form their own individual ‘bubbles’ for training and performances, meaning the stars will have maintain distance from each other during filming.  

Elsewhere during the show, the pros dazzled with a sensational opening routine with judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel-Horwood were seated on separate podiums to ensure the programme adheres to COVID-19 safety guidelines. 

Fourth judge Bruno Tonioli was unable to travel back to the UK from his home in LA for the filming due to the Covid-19 crisis and his work commitments on Dancing With The Stars. 

He has spent the last 15 years jetting between the US and the UK for the two shows but coronavirus travel restrictions have scuppered his schedule.