Strictly Come Dancing aired its first series on BBC One from 15 May 2004 to 3 July 2004. The series was presented by Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly. The judging panel consisted of Len Goodman, Arlene Phillips, Craig Revel Horwood, and Bruno Tonioli. On 3 July 2004, journalist Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole were announced as the winners, while EastEnders actor Christopher Parker and Hanna Karttunen finished in second place.

Format

The couples dance each week in a live show. The judges score each performance out of ten. The couples are then ranked according to the judges' scores and given points according to their rank, with the lowest scored couple receiving one point, and the highest scored couple receiving the most points (the maximum number of points available depends on the number of couples remaining in the competition). The public are also invited to vote for their favourite couples, and the couples are ranked again according to the number of votes they receive, again receiving points; the couple with the fewest votes receiving one point, and the couple with the most votes receiving the most points. The points for judges' score and public vote are then added together, and the two couples with the fewest points are placed in the bottom two. If two couples have equal points, the points from the public vote are given precedence.

Couples

This series featured eight celebrity contestants.

Scoring chart

The highest score each week is indicated in with a dagger (†), while the lowest score each week is indicated in with a double-dagger (‡). Color key: • {{legend|gold|Winners}} • {{legend|silver|Runners-up}} • {{legend|lightblue|Bottom two}} • {{legend|#f4c7b8|Eliminated}}

Weekly scores

Unless indicated otherwise, individual judges scores in the charts below are given (in parentheses) in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.

Week 1

Couples performed either the cha-cha-cha or the waltz, and are listed in the order they performed.

Week 2

Couples performed either the quickstep or the rumba, and are listed in the order they performed.

Week 3

Couples performed either the jive or the tango, and are listed in the order they performed.

Week 4

Couples performed either the foxtrot or the paso doble, and are listed in the order they performed.

Week 5

Couples performed the samba and then a group Viennese waltz. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

Week 6: Quarterfinal

Each couple performed two unlearned routines, and are listed in the order they performed.

Week 7: Semifinal

Each couple performed two unlearned routines, and are listed in the order they performed.

Week 8: Final

Each couple performed three routines: their favourite ballroom dance, their favourite Latin dance, and their showdance routine. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

Dance chart

The couples performed the following each week:

Ratings

Weekly ratings for each show on BBC One. All ratings are provided by BARB.