Strictly Come Dancing 2016: Ed Balls makes his competitive debut - and quietly impresses

The former labour MP has finally donned the sequins

The 14th series of Strictly Come Dancing officially kicked off last night (23 September) with dances from celebrity contestants Laura Whitmore, Ore Oduba and Judge Rinder - but it's tonight all fans were waiting for.

Why? Two words: Ed Balls.

The former Labour MP and shadow Chancellor may have made his debut at the pre-show a fortnight ago, but tonight saw him participate in his first competitive dance alongside partner Katya Jones - and he got a good response, despite being bottom of the leader board at 21.

Twitter responded accordingly to his waltz/

Balls got a five from judges Craig Revel-Horwood, Darcey Bussell and Bruno Toniolo, with head judge Len Goodman - whose final series this will be - awarding him six.

Bussell claimed she could 'feel his nerves' as the dance began but stated there 'glimmers of an elegant gentleman.' Goodman said he was 'pleasantly surprised' by the performance, while Tonioli said the performance was 'politically correct.'

The former politician seems optimistic.

Other celebrities to have performed tonight include model Daisy Lowe and singer Anastacia.

Here's everything you missed on last night's show.