There were the tiniest of tweaks to the format of this show that for some reason I found really unsettling. Tess and Claudia were already there bang on screen after the credits, rather than walking out to meet each other. And let’s not talk about what a mess the judge’s little dance section is these days! But anyway, they are tiny things that just help to distract from the fact that we’re saying goodbye to our first dancer this week!

Tom & Nadiya - Cha Cha

For someone that worked really hard on his hip movements, there wasn’t a lot going on. Something went wrong in the middle too, bit stompy. But he didn’t let mistakes put him off, even when he nearly dropped Nadiya on her head. Overall not great but very glittery.

Punam & Gorka - Foxtrot

Very difficult to watch her when Gorka has shear shirt and PVC trousers on. But when I can focus, it looks pretty good, feels like she loses it when they do flourish bits and takes a while to get back into it. The second half was much more comfortable and better than the first!

Paul & Karen - Salsa

Might be the worst outfits ever? The first of the lifts looked like it didn’t go well, the second was much better. He seemed to be having a great time, which is all that matters, but it really wasn’t a great watch!

Wynne & Katya - Viennese Waltz

They let him in with the band, has that ever happened before? It was nicely danced, the balance spin at the end looked great! His kick out at one point was a bit clunky but mostly I really enjoyed that. And that’s saying something because these can sometimes be dull, dull, dull!

JB & Amy - Cha Cha

Really good, great control of his body, the body roll was great. Noticeably straight legs, and good moves, not sure how in sync it felt with Amie but it was a bit of an odd dance theme for that. Really enjoyed it.

Sam & Nikita - Charlston

Charlston in week two! Sam seemed to go out of time a lot but had great energy, and worked well with the props. Brave lifts, no fuss at all about them. I reckon she got a bit tired by the end. The bits she got right were great, the rest was not so great, but if it was later in the series, she would have been fine.

Chris & Dianne - Foxtrot

So good! I was so happy when he said he was looking forward to it, as that’s the main thing. But it was really great, and so moving. The last bit on the bench was amazing. Another standing ovation, well deserved. “Quite overwhelming, innit.” So true.

Jamie & Michelle - Rumba

Not cringe, which is a relief. Nice hip action, straight legs, nothing else I really ask from a rumba. Bit spiky, but very good for week two. Pleased the Rumba Queen, did NOT please Craig. It’s interesting that Jamie really liked it, we know the rumba is not a favourite among the men.

Toyah & Neil - Jive

It’s hard to put my finger on why this wasn’t good, but it just wasn’t. At least this is a dance that fits with her incredible energy, and she seemed to be having a great time. Better than last week but I just sort of wanted it to be over.

Nick & Luba - American Smooth

I’m so confused by this injury, but at least he’s going for it. The Builder’s Arms is a genius name for the pub. Feel like Luba was working SO hard during all of this, dancing round him, making him look good. He did his best but meh, ended up just listening to the song.

Montell & Johannes - Samba

Included the signature Fire move, yay! Great hips, something a bit off when coming apart and coming back together. But great personality and energy. Sometimes really on the beat and then sometimes it felt like the timing was off. Loads of potential here.

Tasha & Aljaž - Viennese Waltz

Nicely danced, looked pretty good, but was a dull Viennese Waltz compared to the previous one. Weird moment in the middle where he asked her something and she nodded, broke the moment a bit. Standing ovation, people seemed to love it.

Shayne & Nancy - Tango

Looks really good. Great intention, good moves, some of the stuff on the table was amazing. Not sure if the face did the whole job, but no complaints from me.

Pete & Jowita - American Smooth

Pete really has a concentration face, but this was so much better than last week. I spotted a couple of wobbles in places, but at the same time, they were some awesome lifts throwing Jowita around! Great personality at the beginning. Cute dance.

Sarah & Vito - Paso Doble

Kayleigh! Trent Crimm! Great intro VT! The first bit of the dance was amazing, really dramatic. I don’t know if it got a bit dainty in places, a bit prancy, but all the steps in the right order with great intensity that probably doesn’t come naturally. The judges seemed to like it!

The same three as last week were at the top of the leaderboard, but in a slightly different order - Tasha, Sarah and JB. At the bottom of the table Punam, Paul and Toyah. My prediction was that Punam and Paul would be in the bottom two and it would be Paul to go, but I couldn’t have been more wrong!

Toyah and Tom had to dance again which was a surprise but even more so that it was Tom who was sent home. He did go first in the running order and looking back it wasn’t a great dance for him, but still, that’s something of a shock.

Next week, movie week! Hooray!