Lisa Riley Tops Strictly Leaderboard

Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard as this year's celebrities took to the dancefloor for the first time.

The former Emmerdale actress scored an impressive 30 out of a possible 40 points with her Cha Cha in which she mixed things up by lifting her dance partner Robin Windsor.

Judge Len Wiseman described her as a "funky monkey", and even Craig Revel Horwood gushed, saying: "Three words darling, you can dance!"

Also wowing the audience and judges were Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh, Olympian Louis Smith and EastEnders actor Sid Owen.

Languishing at the other end of the leaderboard were Westlife star Nicky Byrne, veteran TV presenter Johnny Ball and, surprisingly, Team GB cyclist Victoria Pendleton.

The gold medallist was left in tears as nerves got the better of her and the judges awarded her just 16 points - the lowest score of the competition so far.

Luckily new judge Darcey Bussell was there to offer words of encouragement, telling Victoria: "Victoria... so impressive, there was so much dance there... don't worry, don't worry."

The ballet superstar added: "One thing that I think will help you... wear a smaller heel. There's so much potential there."

All of the celebrities will dance again next week, before the phone lines are opened to the public and the dreaded dance-off returns.

Louis Smith last week revealed his crush on Kimberley Walsh.

SEE THE FULL STRICTLY COME DANCING LINE UP HERE!