The likes of Kelvin Fletcher and Karim Zeroual flew out of the blocks on the first live show in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
At the other end of the leader board, James Cracknell took a pounding from both the judges and some viewers at home.
But more understanding fans took to social media to defend the Olympic rowing legend.
.@jamescracknell and @LubaMushtuk's Tango faces are ✨ GOLD ✨#Strictly pic.twitter.com/Ri3opCLlir
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) September 21, 2019
Performing the tango with partner Luba Mushtuk, James, 47, was urged by the judges to open up, entertain more and improve his posture.
Craig said he was “hunched”.
Despite Shirley’s encouraging words praising him for inspiring men at home to have a go at dancing, the judges gave him a collective score of 11.
That placed him and Luba rock bottom of the leader board.
And, as he and his pro partner walked up the steps towards Claudia, he appeared to wipe away a tear after the harsh criticism.
Twitter users were quick to make cruel jokes about his dancing style, with the hashtag #jamescracknelllurch beginning to trend.
One user said: “James Cracknell was frankly wooden.”
But many other fans took to Twitter to defend him.
James Cracknell #StrictlyComeDancing pic.twitter.com/3XMCWQufxd
— TMA (@I_am_the_TMA) September 21, 2019
As Judy Murray already proved (sorry Judy) a consummate sports person doesn't always make a fab dancer. James Cracknell was frankly wooden.#strictly2019
— ruth wishart (@ruth_wishart) September 21, 2019
And not everyone was out to mock him.
Many fans took to Twitter to defend him, citing his recent brain injury for his difficulties and praising his courage.
Just walked in the door to see that James Cracknell's dancing abilities are trending on twitter.
Hope all those commenting realise he's had a brain injury
&that it's probably taking every ounce of concentration he has just to get thru the routine &remember the steps.#Strictly— helen ayres (@Raphaelite_Girl) September 21, 2019
https://twitter.com/ltzig/status/1175488811826057219
James Cracknell had a massively serious head injury a few years ago. So I’m trying to cut him some slack… But. Erm.. Omg that was awful. As wooden as his oars. #StrictlyComeDancing
— Millie (@millie_si) September 21, 2019
Not usually a Strictly fan (I leave that to my wife and kids)but I enjoyed it last night.Some great dancing! Didn’t realise the back story to James Cracknell until I read about it this morning.I’m going to use this to inspire the children.Bravery,determination and never giving up
— Mr G (@deputygrocott) September 22, 2019
Read more: Strictly Come Dancing fans thrilled with Jamie Laing’s comeback
In July 2010, James was hit from behind by a petrol tanker while he was attempting a challenge to cycle, run, row and swim from Los Angeles to New York in 18 days.
He suffered an injury to the frontal lobes of his brain, which he has said left him with a changed personality, epilepsy and a short temper.
On a recent episode of This Morning he explained that a brain injury is a lot different to a normal injury on the body.
“Especially with an injury in the head that people can’t see, it’s not like a broken leg or an arm that’s in a cast… from my eyes, the world was normal whereas other people treated me differently,” he said.
“Doing something you’ve never done before and then being judged is actually quite a scary thing to put yourself through,” he told hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.
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