Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke has singled out British skeleton racer and Olympic champion Tabby Stoecker after her week one jive, comparing her debut performance to last year's winner Karen Carney.
The celebrities performed in front of judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse for the first time on Saturday night, with dances including jives and quicksteps. Before all the couples had even taken to the floor, Du Beke appeared to predict that one celebrity could go all the way, saying her performance was 'Karen Carney welcome back stuff'.
Anton Du Beke compares Tabby Stoecker to Karen Carney
Karen Carney, who was born in Birmingham, won the Glitterball trophy last year after impressing from week one when she topped the leaderboard with an energetic jive to One Way Or Another by Blondie with partner Carlos Gu, scoring 31 points. Du Beke, who became a judge in 2021 after a career as a professional dancer, thinks Tabby Stoecker is a dead ringer for Carney.
Tabby performed the jive for her first dance with new Strictly professional Mark Karmalita. Du Beke said: "I thought that was terrific. This was Karen Carney welcome back stuff from last year, it was that good. You sort of picked up from where she left off. Week one jives must be a thing on this show."
Judges praise kicks and artistry
Du Beke went on to praise Tabby's kicks and flips, saying she had a great dynamic and calling it an 'excellent performance'. Head judge Shirley Ballas told Tabby she had done "very well" on posture and was "happy" with her kicks and flicks, adding: "I see something in you, I see some sort of artistry with the arms."
Motsi Mabuse agreed, saying: "You have something so, so special - I saw it on the dance floor." Craig Revel Horwood was less enthusiastic, commenting that there was a "hiccup at the end in the timing of the kicks" and it was "too upright and not enough over your toes", but he admitted: "Everyone is right, I do agree with the kicks being sharp and precise."
Fans react to Tabby's debut
Fans also reacted positively on X, formerly Twitter. Ruth said: "Omfg. Tabby. That was off the chart for first week. Unbelievable." Jade wrote: "Ok I was impressed with Tabby and Mark with that Jive! She's definitely come out swinging and for that I love her for it! I did feel nearing the end her energy levels started dipping but f*** me it is one of those high octane dances."
KMB agreed: "Ohh, Tabby and Mark are looking good. There's potential there. I'm going to enjoy watching these two." The praise from the judges and fans alike suggests Tabby Stoecker has made a strong first impression in the competition.