I’m sure last week they were referring to the half point of the competition but that appears to have been this week - they may have mentioned it once or twice, you’ll have noticed! We’re coming down from the stress of Halloween week and are without a theme for a couple of weeks now until everything heads north to Blackpool. We’re left with some really good dancers, and although there are still a few couples who look like they could go home over the next few weeks, it’s really getting hard to predict who is going to do well or not each week.

Layton & Nikita - Jive

Seems like Nikita’s been working him hard. Incredible energy, great tricks and good kicks and bounce. Just not as good as Nikita when they’re side by side. And his poor turned in feet did him no favours, even if it was clear that he worked really hard on it. Great way to open the show though. Not sure it was ten-worthy but very interesting to hear the divide in the judges.

Angela & Kai - Waltz

First ballroom dance in three weeks, I wonder if these things are taken into consideration in scheduling. Dull song and dull dance, not Angela’s fault though. Looked a bit wobbly in places, did they trip over each other’s feet at one point? Huge list of faults from the judges!

Nigel & Katya - Tango

I was so nervous he was going to make a mistake but YAY he didn’t. It was SO GOOD! Dramatic and what a story, the story with the song and Katya’s gorgeous dress, it was great. Katya was so happy it went well. Again disagreement amongst the judges.

Angela & Carlos - Samba

This one makes me nervous, feel like this dance won’t suit her. Bits of it were better than I was expecting but then other bits it kinda felt like she was just standing there. Good energy and kept the character up throughout.

Annabel & Johannes - Couple’s Choice

Nice to see a CC that isn’t just street dancing. Obviously very moving and emotional story leading into this. Beautiful, flowing, graceful, moving, great lifts. Lots of tears at the end. It was so emotional Anton doesn’t even care about technique at all anymore. Doesn’t really feel appropriate to score it, but that’s okay, three nines.

Bobby & Dianne - Argentine Tango

Good intensity, great balance and power, no heels in the wrong places, but did feel like Dianne was doing a lot more work. I didn’t care for the song so much. Also was a bit weird that he stayed in the character quite so strongly. The judge’s comments were right that it was placed rather than danced.

Ellie & Vito - American Smooth

Love screaming through all the lifts in the training footage. So stylish and really looked effortless even though it was a really hard dance. The lifts were smooth but I didn’t quite get them, maybe the dress got in the way. The judges loved it. 39!

Adam & Luba - Rumba

Definitely nervous about this one, hate the rumba. Seems like a weird choice for a wedding song, but ok. Quite good, he was in the moment and always in the right place but not great hip action, if any? Not the best scores.

Krishnan & Lauren - Couple’s Choice

I liked the story behind it but seemed more like walking than dancing. Mostly just listening to the epic bass. It was very pink and he was having fun but I didn’t like that dance. “You took the whole walking thing to a whole new level, there.”

If it was up to me, I would have put Krishnan and Adam in the bottom two but the public really love Shirley’s newsreader favourite and are keeping him in. It was a bit of a surprise to see Angela Rippon in the dance off but I don’t see her making it to the final, as adorable and brilliant as she is, so it will have to happen at one point. Adam was the other red light contestant, and between the two of them, the judges opted to send Adam home.

His was a rollercoaster of a journey and he got a lot further than I thought he might, so glad he’s happy that he had a good run and had a good time. On to week 8 we go!