Halloween night and the judges went all out on their costumes. I genuinely didn’t think I was going to be able to get through a whole night of looking at Shirley like that! And I saw a video afterwards of Motsi having to take that make-up off… was it worth it, I ask you??

Meanwhile, on with the spooky set of dances this week!

Vicky & Kai - American Smooth

They had the benefit of an incredible song, and it was a really engaging dance. I think some of the leg positions could have been more shapely, but all the lifts were great. The atmosphere was very intense, too. I loved it!

Ellie & Vito - Tango

Ellie managed to do the serious face really well, and there were only a few moments of tottering, the rest was great. You can see the technique starting to improve, although there’s quite a lot still to do. But great frame and great energy, as always. Was super impressed with Vito basically having to squat for the whole dance too!

George & Alexis - Cha Cha Cha

There definitely were some hips on display, and good straight legs occasionally. But it took quite a while to get going, and I’m not sure he was invested in it the same way he has been other dances. The performance side just wasn’t quite there for me.

La Voix & Aljaž - Paso Doble

Such drama! Interesting choice of music, it definitely added to the intensity and sounded very tricky to dance to. I think it could have done with a lot more shaping, but the dance was a definite improvement over the last few weeks. Great job.

Lewis & Katya - Couple’s Choice

I was slightly fuming at the awful version of Creep, but the dance was so good it a) managed to distract me from that and b) made me actually like Lewis a bit more. Incredible tricks, great character, inventive choreography, the timing was insane, it was just amazing. A well deserved 40.

Balvinder & Julian - Rumba

Bit worried for Balvinder having to take to the floor directly after that, but she does a great job. Another exceptional song, and loved the story and connection between the two. Julian looked good, too.

Harry & Karen - American Smooth

Not too bad, really, but not up there with the standard we’ve seen this evening. Nice to have them both back smiling again, the lifts were great and the dance nice and smooth. A shame about the mistake, though.

Karen & Carlos - Argentine Tango

I wasn’t totally sold on the concept for this Argentine Tango, and is it Halloweeny? Not sure. But the dance was outstanding. I spotted a couple of balance issues here and there but the footwork was great, the kicks and tricks were intense, and the lifts really well done. A great dance, earning a great score!

Alex & Johannes - Salsa

I spotted that they had canned a lift in the training VT that didn’t appear in the dance but wouldn’t have thought it was down to misplaced horns! Good confidence from Alex and the moves were really good, but yea, it’s difficult to do a salsa next to Johannes who stole the show.

Amber & Nikita - Viennese Waltz

Good drama in this one, although I thought the start was stronger than the finish. Nice storytelling and Amber kept her serious face throughout. A nice dance but a few technical issues for me.

This was a really good show and the standard seemed to have shot up a bit this week - is it the theme or just the endless hours of training paying off? Lewis topped the leaderboard with Karen just behind, and then at th eother end, Harry, Ellie and Balvinder.

I was convinced it would be George and Harry in the dance off, they felt like the weakest performances of the evening for me. But I couldn’t have been more wrong. Balvinder found herself in the dance off again, and this time joined by Ellie. Poor Ellie’s journey has come to an end but what a wonderful energy she brought to the show. And we’ve all seen a new side to Vito!

Next week is back to normal, but we’ll be halfway through the competition - and no doubt the B-word will start being dropped more regularly.