Strictly fans say the same thing as BBC4 airs first ever episode amid bombshell scandals

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 @MatthewPGormley shared a snap of Bruce introducing the show, admitting: "Not at all emotional watching the first [crying face emoji]."

Bruce died on August 18, 2017, aged 89 and Len passed away on April 22, 2023, aged 78.

While other fans were left gobsmacked at how ruthless the judges were back then.

Bruce and Tess presenting the first ever episode of Strictly (Image: BBC4) window.topArticlesScript="https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/js/dist/article-top-articles20240806.min.js"

The Strictly Come Dancing 2004 panel (Image: BBC4) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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Fan @suzyglitter1 quipped: "Craig pulling out a 2 on the 1st show! He started how he meant to go on."

As @PJDavies1962 echoed: "Craig...2," followed by a laughing meme.

And @UKTVForever1 penned: "Crikey Those Judges was Really strict back then."

The throwback episode comes on the heels of a shock controversy involving pro-dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima who have been accused of both physically and mentally abusive behaviour towards their former dance partners.

Both pros have denied all allegations made against them.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC.

Strictly fans say the same thing as BBC4 airs first ever episode amid bombshell scandals

Strictly fans say the same thing as BBC4 airs first ever episode amid bombshell scandals

Strictly fans say the same thing as BBC4 airs first ever episode amid bombshell scandals

Strictly fans say the same thing as BBC4 airs first ever episode amid bombshell scandals

Strictly fans say the same thing as BBC4 airs first ever episode amid bombshell scandals