This show got off to an incredible start for me, because we have only just watched Little Shop of Horrors and lo and behold, they open the main show with a fantastic group dance based on that very musical. Best timing ever. Follow that up with the appearance of Miranda, who promised to be in the audience in November and just managed to squeeze it in before December hits. Well, how can the dancing live up to this great opening? Let’s find out!

Sarah & Vito - Charleston (Wicked)

Incredible character and this dance suited her so well. It maybe wasn’t quite as smooth as I’d hoped, and getting in and out of the lifts felt a bit lumpy - but wow there were A LOT of lifts and some incredible work. The whole dance was a lot of fun, great timing and rhythm with the other dancers. I’m surprised Craig didn’t go for a 10, he didn’t say a single negative thing about it.

Montell & Johannes - Rumba (The Color Purple)

We all need a little Jojo pep talk in our lives, I’m jealous. It seemed like a good dance, powerful and moving. Montell was clearly very invested in the story and the character, I’m not sure the technique was 100% there but we’ve definitely seen worse!

Tasha & Aljaž - Argentine Tango (Wicked)

Everything about this was set up to be great - brilliant musical, fantastic dance style, and essentially two professional dancers executing it. So why did it not quite hit the mark? I don’t know, there wasn’t anything visibly wrong with it, but I was definitely expecting better. Do think she did an incredible job considering the implant went wonky for a moment, that must have been very disconcerting.

Chris & Dianne - Quickstep (Anything Goes)

This was SO GOOD. He got picked up by the other dancers and everything. The character was incredible, the movement across the floor light and lovely. There was a small error at the end where he was facing the wrong way, but it was a split second in a great dance. I do agree with the judges that the posture took a step back this week, but it didn’t take away from the dance.

Pete & Jowita - Waltz (West Side Story)

“From the waist up I’m like a breeze block.” Really enjoyed this, waltzes are usually so boring but this was beautiful to watch. A small stumble of the feet which put him off for a beat or two, but it was a good recovery. Apologising so much at the end, bless him. Craig with a 5?? He said the lack of technical skills didn’t bother him but it clearly did.

JB & Lauren - Viennese Waltz (Mary Poppins)

A very good dance, this one, great song to end on, felt like a big happy family moment. I find it so hard not to watch Lauren throughout all these dances, but when I did look at JB he was doing a fine job. I don’t fully agree with the story being told here though - why is Mary dancing with Mr Banks at this point in the story? The family should be back together by now.

So! The leaderboard had JB at the top, with Sarah and Tasha joint second. Then at the bottom, Pete again with Chris and Montell on the same score above him. I think we all knew that it was going to be Montell in the bottom two - she’s had a run of dance offs and this week being given a rumba was never going to help. It was powerful but it wasn’t a crowdpleaser. I went with the seemingly obvious prediction of Pete joining her but shock and surprise, it was Tasha. To be fair, her fanbase hasn’t really been tested up until now but it’s getting tight with only six dancers left. And if others felt slightly disappointed with the Six tribute like I did, then it makes sense.

We wave farewell to Montell and go into the semi-final next week, where the couples will be performing two dances and looking for a spot in the final. I can’t wait!