After the slightly disappointing quarter final in which an injured Nigel withdrew and no public vote was held, we’re back at the sharp end again. With each couple doing two dances tonight, there will be three scores from the judges added together, although our remaining couples are so close, you have to wonder how much difference that will make.

We’re at that point where the start of this competition seems so long ago - remember Nikita and Jody?? But now there are just four couples and eight dances to secure a place in the final. Let’s do this!

Bobby & Dianne - Quickstep

Good dance, looked good in hold, great bouncy song, he looked full of confidence. The last run was a bit manic, but I enjoyed it! Highest scoring quickstep of the series.

Layton & Nikita - Rumba

Feeling the pressure ahead of this dance. Not a great song, good dancing but not sure the partnering was quite there, I couldn’t quite tell who was leading/following. Good storytelling though. Good comments, phew!

Annabel & Johannes - Salsa

So much confidence and better than she has been previously! Went wrong and she just kept going amazingly! Not as good as the others obviously but still, fantastic! People’s champions, everyone really loves her!

Ellie & Vito - Cha Cha Cha

Must be one of the hardest cha chas we’ve seen in a while, granted they’re usually in the first couple of weeks. Felt a bit scatty in places but otherwise was amazing.

Bobby & Dianne - Paso Doble

“It can either look really good or not quite there.” Great graphics at the start of this dance. Incredible drama. It didn’t quite grab me as it should but looked good, I think. Maybe not quite enough shaping.

Layton & Nikita - Charleston

They’re packing so much into this one, I’m nervous. But it was fantastic! Out there, fast, props, right on the edge. So sure Craig was going to love it, he always wants that out of control feeling in a Charleston. The tricks, too!

Annabel & Johannes - Viennese Waltz

Tim Henman in the messages! Beautiful dance, weird version of the song but it somehow worked. I just think she’s lovely. Shirley: “Block out the noise and dance your own dance.” Actually think this one was undermarked. I hate the little speeches, but Jojo’s broke me.

Ellie & Vito - Couple’s Choice

Worried about this being one week before a showdance, what is left? But it was obviously brilliant. I wanted it to go on for longer, and was sad when it ended and that hasn’t happened in a long time.

I know it was against all the odds but I so badly wanted Annabel to get to the final. I really think if she could have sneaked through, she stood a chance. Obviously you want the best dancing to break through but it’s not ALL about technique. Nevertheless, the final dance off was between Bobby and Annabel and it was her and Jojo’s time to say goodbye.

Into the final we have Bobby, Ellie and Layton. I feel a bit less enthusiastic about it than I have done in recent years - even thoguh there’s nobody in the final I dislike, it sort of feels a bit flat. I’ve been confident Ellie’s going to win for a long time now, but I’m telling myself that anything can happen in the final. For the last two years, the finals have basically been two hours of emotional tears, so let’s see what happens this coming weekend.