There’s no theme this week so the dancers are just doing their own separate things, but with one thing on their mind (apparently) - getting to Blackpool. The B word is so over-used at this point in the competition that you really just want this week over so we can get there and get it done with. But apart from that, another great week of dancing gets underway!

Tasha & Aljaž - Quickstep

Nice sweet start to open the show, lots of steps and all looked to be in the right order. They look good together but I couldn’t quite follow the story. Bit too bouncy in places, maybe, but very good. Don’t think it was worth tens.

Shayne & Nancy - Rumba

Great song. Looked pretty good but I’m not sure it will engage people emotionally. Mixed reviews from the judges, but Craig liked it.

Sarah & Vito - American Smooth

Incredible tune, great song for an American Smooth. The lifts were amazing, Sarah’s smile was out of this world, living her best life. Maybe not 100% perfect but so joyous, it was brilliant.

Pete & Jowita - Couple’s Choice

I was feeling the pressure on his behalf going into this, just desperately wanting it to go well. Thankfully it did. It was really good, and bless them both being super emotional at the end, not sure they listened to any of the judge’s comments at all. A 10 for Pete!

JB & Lauren - Samba

Not at all bad for a samba, good attempt at hips. Seems like they had problems connecting their hands, from not having worked together for very long, I suppose. And she almost fell over at the end, so something went awry, but it looked good and was fun. The judges didn’t comment on any of that.

Jamie & Michelle - Argentine Tango

The song was a bit iffy, didn’t really seem to pick up to anything. But great kicks and flicks. Balance seemed a bit wobbly on occasion but enjoyed it. The judges didn’t like it!

Wynne & Katya - American Smooth

I was quite distracted by wondering if the singer was going to make the high notes (hit and miss) and the dress mishap for Katya also threw me for a loop. It didn’t feel very smooth at all, and I didn’t really get into it, but they looked like they were loving it.

Montell & Johannes - Paso Doble

Good dance, I like that JoJo had a cape too. Good shapes, good attack, some weird jiggy moments that took me out of a bit, but overall a good job.

Chris & Dianne - Couple’s Choice

Nice upbeat number, think it’s more difficult to do side by side like this but it came off. Great blackout moment that was moving in itself and also a nice callback to Rose’s moment. A couple of steps looked like they went a bit wrong or didn’t flow, but mostly just a wonder to behold.

It was a really high-scoring week, the lowest couple getting 30, so only nine points between the whole group. For the first time this year, I had my predictions spot on - Wynne and Shayne in the bottom two with Shayne’s time finally being up after surviving two previous dance offs. It’s a shame, but as we’ve said, at this point in the competition, it’s going to be a good dancer going home each week now.

Meanwhile at the top of the table, Tasha and JB had a joint lead, with Pete and Montell not far behind. I was worried about Chris being mid-table, but his performance this week was so moving and good that got him through. How much further can he go? We’re off to Blackpool to find out!