Strictly is back! 20th series brings out the sequins to shrug off bullying scandal as fan favourites Amy Dowden and Aljaž Škorjanec return - with even Zara McDermott making a surprise appearance

Strictly returned for its 20th series on Saturday as it shrugged off the bullying scandal with fan favourites Amy Dowden and Alijaz Škorjanec making their return. Dancing to song of the summer with her partner Aljaž Škorjanec, Tasha Ghouri - who was the first ever deaf contestant on Love Island - wowed with her high-energy Cha Cha 'What a way to introduce yourself, this was not demure this was all eyes on me,' Motsi said as she praised her performance While Shirley was amazed by Tasha, as she said: 'You're on your way to have one of the most spectacular leg actions this show has ever seen, you're onto a winner Topping the leaderboard, Tasha received an incredible two eights and two sevens - giving her a whopping 30 points JLS star JB Gill and returning dancer Amy Dowden performed next with a Waltz to When I Need You by Leo Sayer The judges were wowed by the ballroom number, as they gushed over Amy being back on the dancefloor following her cancer battle JB overtook Tasha at the top of the leaderboard gaining 32 points - seven from Craig, eight from Motsi, eight from Shirley, and eight from Anton Pete Wicks, who is pals with last year's contestant Zara, was next up with his partner Jowita Przystał as they danced a Paso Doble to Breathe by The Prodigy. 'It wasn't my cup of tea darling' However while Craig and Anton agreed with Shirley, Motsi said she would be the odd one out as she admitted to being 'captured' Gaining a disappointing 17 points, Pete was awarded two fives, a three and a four Miranda star Sarah Hadland was next to maker her Strictly debut as she took to the dancefloor with last year's winner Vito Coppol The pair performed a bouncy Quickstep to 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton and the judges were completely wowed by her skills 'Just love this pairing,' Shirley gushed, as fans online shared how impressed they were Olympic swimmer Tom Dean and his partner Nadiya Bychkova were up next with a Tango to Golden by Harry Styles. Next was the turn of former England player Paul Merson who danced the American Smooth to Vindaloo by Fat Les with his partner Karen Hauer The pair sported a hilarious costume including wide-leg navy pants with a bedazzled England football shirt The highly entertaining routine even had lifts for the first week, which was commended by the judges - but they couldn't recognise the American Smooth However the performance fell flat with Craig kicking off with a two, however things got better as Motsi gave a four, Shirley five and Anton six EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick - who won last year's Christmas special - danced a Viennese Waltz to Beautiful Things by Benson Boone with newbie Michelle Tsiakkas Jamie was praised for the mood and emotion of the piece but he was told his dance was slightly wooden However Craig leapt to the actor's defence as he commended his energy, with Jamie getting a total score of 23 Fan favourite comedian Chris McCausland and his partner Diane Buswell were next with a Cha Cha to Twist and Shout by The Beatles. You brought the Cha Cha style to the room That was for me, actually I'm quite shocked and very emotional, fabulous,' Shirley said getting choked up Craig received a huge boo as he gave Chris just four points - but his luck improved with two sixes and a seven Anton added: 'It's one of the most extraordinary things I've ever seen in my entire life' Strictly favourite Johannes Radebe and his celebrity partner Montell Douglas, an Olympian and Gladiator, danced some ballroom next.