Strictly Come Dancing viewers have labelled TV’s Brian Conley as “this year’s Ed Balls” following his first performance on the show.
He joined partner Amy Dowden as the pair became the second to take to the stage in Saturday night’s opening show of the BBC One competition.
.@RealBrianConley's #Strictly Tango face is on point 😁 This is longest we've seen him go without smiling @dowden_amy! pic.twitter.com/SYUTkH8AEQ
— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) September 23, 2017
But while their steamy tango to Heaven 17 hit Temptation was praised by the panel for its drama, his technique after two weeks of training failed to impress and was branded “poor” by judge Craig Revel Horwood.
Alex Davenport commented on Twitter: “Think #Brian will be this years #Ed #strictly”.
Think #Brian will be this years #Ed #strictly
— Alex Davenport (@alexdavenport4) September 23, 2017
Andrew James Sillett teased: “”Okay, Brian, just do Ed Balls’ Mask dance but in red.” #Strictly.”
"Okay, Brian, just do Ed Balls' Mask dance but in red." #Strictly
— Andrew James Sillett (@andrewsillett) September 23, 2017
While other show fans shared their appreciation of his “lovely” attitude and “good effort” despite the lacking skills, Kath Cartmell wrote: “oh bless needs a bit of work”.
oh bless needs a bit of work 😊👄
— Kath cartmell (@SpookykathKath) September 23, 2017
While Conley dazzled in his dapper hat and sparkling red shoes, he earned scores of three, two fours and a five.
But new head judge Shirley Ballas, who handed him one of the fours, assured him that she saw “plenty of room for growth”.