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Strictly Come Dancing fans bewildered by ironic ‘Everybody’s Free’ routine as new series gets under way

PA
PA

Strictly Come Dancing fans have shared their joy at the show’s return, but also voiced confusion at the opening routine’s “ironic” backing track.

The 18th series kicked off on BBC One with a dance to Rozalla’s ‘Everybody’s Free’, to the bafflement of some viewers.

Social media users asked whether the “bold” song choice was a joke given the tightening up of coronavirus lockdown restrictions across the UK.

“Strictly starting with ‘Everybody’s Free’ when we are all hiding in our bunkers,” one Twitter user commented.

“Top trolling #BBCStrictly, opening the show with Everybody's Free when that couldn't be further from the truth,” another tweeted.

“I’m sure it’s supposed to be uplifting (and music was probably cleared yonks ago) but helluva time to be leading with ‘Everybody’s free’,” added another.

Among this year’s contestants are former home secretary Jacqui Smith, comedian Bill Bailey and Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing.

Former boxer Nicola Adams will also form part of the first ever same-sex pairing between a celebrity and a professional dancer on the programme.

The show is taking place in front of a socially-distanced audience, and this year’s contestants are subject to Covid-19 rules.

Either the professional dancer or the celebrity will also be living on their own for the duration of the series as they form an exclusive support bubble.

Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas have returned to the panel but Bruno Tonioli is absent from the launch as he is in the US working on Dancing With The Stars.

The BBC has previously said he will join remotely for the Sunday night results show and is due to return full-time towards the end of the series.

At the start of the programme, professional dancer Anton Du Beke tweeted to say it is a “tremendous achievement” to get the programme back on television screens.

He wrote: “So excited that Strictly series 18 is all systems go – such a tremendous achievement by everyone involved in making this happen!”

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