'2020 has been saved': 11 tweets that sum up the euphoric return of Strictly Come Dancing

Viewers took to Twitter in their droves to celebrate the beginning of the new series, praising everything from the way the show handled social distancing to the first same-sex pairing in the programme's history.

One viewer even went so far as to suggest that the launch went so well that the producers should be given another job, writing, "Has the government considered putting the Strictly bosses in charge of national Covid planning because honestly I think they could do really well."

https://twitter.com/RachelMcGrath/status/1317545268020117505

Perhaps the best response was reserved for the announcement that boxer Nicola Adams – one of the celebs in this year's Strictly Come Dancing line-up – was to be partnered with Katya Jones for the series.

It had already been announced that Adams would form part of the show's first same-sex pairing, but this was the first time the identity of her partner had been officially revealed.

The announcement clearly went down well with viewers and among those to express their support for Nicola and Katya was radio DJ Sara Cox, who wrote, "These two giving me all the feels. They’re going to be brilliant. I’m team @NicolaAdamsOBE & @Mrs_katjones alllllll the way."

https://twitter.com/sarajcox/status/1317554011013251072

Another fan-made use of a popular meme format to show their delight at the announcement, posting a tweet showing Pope Francis appearing to hold up a picture of the pairing.

https://twitter.com/diplobrocus/status/1317561608789516289

Many viewers responded to the previous backlash to the pairing, one user Tweeting how easy it was to explain the same-sex pairing to his nine-year-old child.

https://twitter.com/MPCmonkey/status/1317557070909083649

Nicola and Katya weren't the only pairing to please the fans though, the decision to partner comedian Bill Bailey with 2019 champ Oti Mabuse also getting a lot of support from audiences. In fact, one fan claimed that the news was so good that it had saved 2020.

https://twitter.com/Hopewrites/status/1317558194542182403

Some viewers were also surprised to see that Bill appears to have some decent dancing skills, with one fan writing, "I can’t decide if I’m more excited for Nicola and Katya or the fact that Bill Bailey actually appears to have moves."

https://twitter.com/LouGriffinn/status/1317565386498461701

Bill wasn't the only dancer who some viewers think might surprise people. Former Strictly professional James Jordan pointed out that Men Behaving Badly star Caroline Quentin could also be a dark horse.

https://twitter.com/The_JamesJordan/status/1317542328601595906

From a more practical perspective, fans were impressed with the social distancing seen on set, and how little impact it had on the enjoyment of the show.

One fan particularly admired the ability of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman to explain social distancing, claiming they did a better job than the government.

https://twitter.com/HertsSid/status/1317539946761170945

Although one fan thought it a shame that we didn't get to see legendary presenter Bruce Forsyth present during the age of Covid - paying tribute to the late entertainer with a very Brucey joke.

https://twitter.com/MattOakleyMojo/status/1317541347973365763

Some fans were pleased to see the show back just to add a little normality to 2020, with artist Grayson Perry among those to sing Strictly's praises.

https://twitter.com/Alan_Measles/status/1317545254401265665

And finally, to help get fans in the mood for the show, weather presenter and viral drummer Owain Wyn Evans reshared his remixed version of the Strictly theme tune from earlier in the year, writing, "Who else is excited that #Strictly is back?!"

https://twitter.com/OwainWynEvans/status/1317545607318429697

Strictly Come Dancing returns 24th October on BBC One. To find out what else is on in the meantime, check out our TV Guide.