Sam Thompson supports girlfriend Zara McDermott with pictures of her face on ... trends now

Saturday night saw the first Strictly Come Dancing live show of the series thrill BBC viewers across the country.

And as the stars headed home, Made In Chelsea's Sam Thompson, 31, supported girlfriend Zara McDermott, 26, with pictures of her face on his shirt.

Professional dancer Katya Jones, 34, beamed with delight as she put her toned pins on display while being whisked away in a chauffer-driven car.

Tess Daly, 54 - who has been fronting the show since its launch back in 2004 - looked happier than ever, as did her husband Vernon Kay, 49.

Ant McPartlin's ex-wife Lisa Armstrong, 46, was spotted leaving, after having used her skills to apply gorgeous make-up to the Strictly stars.

Biggest fan: Sam Thompson , 31, supported girlfriend Zara McDermott , 26, with pictures of her face on his shirt after the first Strictly Come Dancing live show of the series, on Saturday

Loving life: Katya Jones , 34, beamed with delight as she put her toned pins on display while being whisked away in a chauffer-driven car

All good: TOWIE star Pete Wicks gave a thumbs up after ditching is shirt covered in Zara's face

Nigel Harman has emerged as an early favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing as he topped the leaderboard during week one on Saturday.

The actor, 50, was proclaimed by judge Shirley Ballas as 'the one to beat' after he performed an outstanding pasodoble with dance partner Katya Jones.

The Casualty star danced to Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit and received universal praise from all four judges and received a score of 32 out of 40.

'That was the dance of the night,' proclaimed Craig Revel Horwood while Motsi Mabuse added: 'This at the end of the night was spectacular, amazing.'

Anton Du Beke also praised the actor and reminded the audience it's not easy for the star who has to close the show.

While he is tipped to be the pin-up of the series, Nigel, who attended £24,000-a-year Dulwich College, is unlikely to fall victim of the show's much discussed 'Strictly curse'.

He is happily married to actress Lucy Liemann, 49, who has starred in The Bill and Agatha Christie's Poirot, as well as in the third Jason Bourne film, The Bourne Ultimatum.

Nigel was the centre of a controversial Downton Abbey storyline, in 2013, where his character was seen hitting lady's maid Anna – played by Joanne Froggatt – in the face and dragging her into a room in a violent rape scene.