Tartan turbulence for Strictly star Murray

Patriotic Scot Judy Murray took to the dance floor in a tartan dress while a bagpiper played Mull Of Kintyre for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The tennis coach and mother of players Andy and Jamie waltzed with kilt-wearing partner Anton Du Beke.

But she struggled with nerves despite the Scottish atmosphere and she was criticised by judge Craig Revel Horwood for her “appalling” posture.

He said Du Beke was “dragging Judy around”, but did admit she “came out and gave it a go, so well done on that”.

Head judge Len Goodman commented: “This is a very difficult dance to do. There were a lot of elements in it – the footwork, the posture, the hold, the movement - and I thought for a very difficult dance, Judy you did very well.”

Judge Darcey Bussell added: “It’s much harder than it looks and I did feel, Judy, that in that beautiful smile of yours those nerves were coming through.”

Fellow judge Bruno Tonioli felt Murray’s performance was “hit by turbulence” but he urged her to “land safely and try again next week”.

Speaking after her routine, Murray said: “I was a little bit nervous but I really enjoyed it.”

Six couples took to the dance floor last night and the rest will perform tonight. There is no public vote this week but the judges’ scores will be carried through to next week.

While Murray scored just 18 out of a possible 40, the early scoreboard leader is Jake Wood – best known for playing Max Branning in EastEnders – who scored 28 for his jive to Good Golly Miss Molly with partner Janette Manrara.

This year’s series is the first without veteran host Sir Bruce Forsyth, with Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly stepping in to run the show.