Movie week! Always a fun week, guessing the movie as the couples walk down the stairs, admiring the costumes and makeup, and generally relishing in how many films we’ve watched and how many more there are still to go!

Nick Knowles was absent this week after picking up another injury, that’s concerning for him at such an early stage, will have to see how well he recovers. And after the surprise elimination last week of Tom & Nadiya, all eyes on the dancefloor for who will be next to exit stage right.

Montell & Johannes - Tango

I did enjoy in the opening VT Montell talking about how hard it is to transition back and forth between ballroom and latin. It was a pretty good dance, but felt like I could see them fighting each other a bit for control. I didn’t feel that confidence that it was all going to go okay.

Toyah & Neil - Samba

This felt like such a terrible song choice for a samba! This was an improvement week on week for Toyah, but still didn’t seem like the best dance… I did like that Neil was the one who ended up on the floor, though. Low scores, this is a concern.

Chris & Dianne - Jive

“If she carries on moaning about my moaning, we’re through.” Cute! This was really good and a lot of fun. More mistakes than before, but good energy, and continues to impress what he’s able to do. Growing in confidence too.

Tasha & Aljaž - Rumba

Looked pretty good to me, the issue of not being able to hear the beat idn’t seem to be a problem. Couldn’t quite take Aljaž seriously as Ken, so that didn’t help. Craig called it exquisite, we’re going to see the 10s flying early this season I reckon.

Paul & Karen - Cha Cha

I was expecting the worst, and although it wasn’t great, it also wasn’t that bad! Not cringey which it really could have been with the horses and everything. Still felt like Karen was doing most of the work, but the timing was improved. He seemed quite down about it at the end.

Sarah & Vito - Viennese Waltz

It was amazing. Made me emotional. She looked like a professional dancer. Lovely Dame Maggie. Great comments from the judges. The awful mini shoes came out for a reference!

Pete & Jowita - Samba

Terrible concept but he threw himself into it. Some bits were really good, others you could see he still struggles with finding the music. Performance was great though. Bit of a slip at the end but carried on. “The trip hazard you created.”

JB & Amy - American Smooth

I’m not really happy with what they’ve done to the song but it was okay. Not my favourite dance but it looked pretty good. One of those forgettable but steady performances.

Sam & Nikita - Paso Doble

I love chaperone spotting in the intro VTs! Bit stiff and she slipped at least once. Song was good, atmosphere amazing, good lines and the intensity was there… although she looked nervous at points, maybe the pressure of living up to Lara! Likes the floor crumbling at the end.

Shayne & Nancy - Viennese Waltz

Always too soon for me and this film. Just an annoyingly good dance, nothing really to say about it. Best bit was when Nancy stacked it up the stairs.

Wynne & Katya - Cha Cha

Hilarious, brilliant, not technically perfect, but what a performance! Should have been the dance to close the show! Bit of disagreement from the judges, was this choreo or mistake, but just endless amounts of fun.

Punam & Gorka - Couple’s Choice

It was really good, the music was a bit all over the place but the dancing was fab. Great character too, really cheeky and sassy. She and Gorka worked well together! “No Motsi, nobody wants your tears.” WE DO!

Jamie & Michelle - Quickstep

Jamie looked incredible but the choice of song was already a mistake - how can anyone do this and not have Jill Halfpenny in the back of their mind? It was good on the performance side but the steps felt very uncomfortable, went wrong a few times I think, just untidy as Motsi said.

Tasha, Sarah and this week Shayne broke into the top three on the leaderboard, whilst the bottom was Pete, Paul and Toyah. I felt like Toyah was definitely going to be in the dance off, but predicted Montell might join her. Incorrect! It was Paul joining her in the bottom two. For once this does feel like the two weakest dances on the floor, and the judges chose to save Paul.

Poor Neil had a partner this year but really didn’t get to go very far with her! Oh well, onto next week where we’ll see if Nick can come back and what Paul will come up with this time!