The big ol’ Blackpool ballroom is our home for this week and it always feels like it really should just be the home of Strictly anyway, it is a really beautiful place, the atmosphere is amazing, and sure, we want it as a one off special occasion, but also, imagine opening and finale episodes here? Oh well, for now it can be our mid-season treat, and talking of treats, Kelvin Fletcher was back to do the terms and conditions. There seemed to be lots of people in the audience, star-spotting throughout the show, whilst also, obviously, watching closely all the dances.

Bobby & Dianne - Jive

“How have you found your rock experience?” Weird question. TUNE! Great character and good kicking, but sort of lacked a little bit of style, kind of just doing the moves. Loads of energy though, very bouncy, did the floor help? Great comments and scores from the judges.

Angela & Kai - American Smooth

God they looked like they were loving it, it wasn’t great, really, but this place was made for her. Quite ambitious lifts too. People booed Craig’s 6, but that’s the right score.

Layton & Nikita - Couple’s Choice

Well I don’t think anyone’s ever pole danced on Strictly before. Very reminiscent of Fleur’s powerful and spirited Couple’s Choice… no real story or personality just a lot of funky moves. Plus this is the kind of dancing that he does have training for.

Annabel & Johannes - American Smooth

Really good, great interaction with the other dancers, smooth and waltzy. Tiny timing differences at the end maybe but otherwise amazing! Great comments and a superb score!

Ellie & Vito - Charleston

At first it wasn’t grabbing me but I got into it. She was being thrown round all over the place. Fun story. Cute bears too. Best use of the extra dancers too.

Angela & Carlos - Argentine Tango

Cool lights. Good version of the song. Intensity really strong and sucks you right into the moment. Balance much improved. Loved it. No extra dancers. Great comments, but I didn’t think it would be 10s, I was wrong! Carlos is getting emotional.

Nigel & Katya - Quickstep

That was so good, they covered so much ground! Glad we’ve got past the terror of him making mistakes, but apparently they were still in there, I didn’t notice them at all. He looked really annoyed at the comments.

Just like last week, I thought it would be Angela R and Annabel in the dance off, me being yet another person completely underestimating what Annabel can do. She’s improved so much! Instead it was Bobby joining Angela in the bottom two, and Angela sadly going home at Blackpool. We’re really at the point now where I have no idea who’s going to make it to the final. Have we ever had a competition this close this early? Roll on next week, I want to know who’s next!