More facts dropped by Claudia at the top of the show - every couple left in the competition has scored at least one 10. But at this point we hadn’t seen a 40, despite the sheer quality across the board. No gimmicks this week, just seven couples trying to get through to the quarter finals, and musicals week.

As they descended to the floor, I realised how empty it is now and that prompted me to come up with predictions for the final: Tasha, Sarah, Chris and Jamie. I want Sarah to win it but really do think Chris is in with a chance.

Pete & Jowita - Tango

I’m impressed with Pete that when Jowita said ‘do we want to make it easier’, he said no. He looked good in the suit and so much more comfortable than last week. The stern face suits him. A good dance, if maybe lacking a bit in intensity. All the right steps in the right order and I thought it was an improvement in timing for him.

Sarah & Vito - Rumba

The rumba is not really Sarah’s dance if the quote “let’s just get things done and get them done quickly” is anything to go by. It was good though, great control of energy for the most part, although I think it got a bit too fast and frantic towards the end. Great legs and impressive spins, although a bit lumpy in places. Very difficult routine though, so top marks from me.

JB & Lauren - Charleston

I thought this was a great Charleston, good swivels in there and some impressive lifts, but it wasn’t the kind of Charleston that massively grabs me, not super outrageous fun. Although it was a complex routine, I did think the energy had drained by the end. A bit overmarked, if you ask me.

Jamie & Michelle - Foxtrot

Overall strong dance, he seemed to do well with what was given to him - to my tastes a little bit sickly sweet and probably a little forgettable as a performance. Mixed bag of judges scores!

Chris & Dianne - Paso Doble

Adorable that Dianne’s father introduced the pair saying ‘dancing the pappa dough ball…’ I’m so calling it that from now on. Not Chris’ best work but also impressive. Just have to remember that the Paso Doble (pappa dough ball) is a bonkers dance and he has no frame of reference for it at all. And those tiny moments where Diane moves her dress out the way, such small things you take for granted.

Montell & Johannes - Quickstep

Good energy, great jumps and slides. Montell really showed a lot more personality in this and it really worked for her. I just think the dance took a little while to get going, but by the end I was enjoying it.

Tasha & Aljaž - American Smooth

Cute to see baby Lyra in the training room but is there a reason she was miked up? Do we need to hear from the baby? Anyway the dance was, of course, just another professional performance and fully deserved to be the first 40 of the series.

I was so nervous for the awkwardness that could have been the sambathon but actually it went okay, and JB won it. I’m not sure it had much impact on the home voters but maybe did make things more difficult for the early leavers. After everything we witnessed, I predicted Jamie & Pete in the bottom two, which was half right.

I feel sorry for Montell who has seen that red light of doom three times now, and also a bit sorry for Pete who is brilliant but must be feeling some guilt about the great dancers going home with him staying in. Jamie was the dancer we waved goodbye to this week, which means my prediction for the finalists is already out the window in the space of one day.

Roll on musicals week, and I’ll give it another go!