Season 1
The first season of Strictly Come Dancing aired from 4 February to 25 March, 2006. A second season was ordered immediately based on the success of the first, and began just four months later, in August.
The eight celebrities to compete the first season included a world champion boxer, a former Springbok rugby player, a television presenter and a kwaito star.
They were:
Ashifashabba (DJ and comedian)
Baby Jake Matlala (boxer)
Claudia Henkel (Miss South Africa 2004)
Florence Masebe (actress)
James Dalton (former rugby player)
Michelle Garforth (television presenter)
Zuraida Jardine (radio DJ)
Zwai Bala (kwaito star)
The first celeb to be eliminated from Season 1 was Baby Jake Matlala.
The semi-finalists for the season were Zuraida Jardine, Michelle Garforth and Zwai Bala with a final showdown between Zuraida and Michelle. Zuraida and her partner Michael Wentink won.
There was mild controversy after the finale in that a number of Michelle fans felt that Zuraida won because of the on-air publicity and support she got from various 5FM DJ's (her colleagues) throughout the show.