We make quite a lot of fun of the build up to Blackpool but I feel bad for that now because this weekend’s Strictly Come Dancing show was spectacular and worth all the hype. You kick things off with an incredible Steps medley with professionals, contestants, extra dancers, and the judges all taking to the sprung floor, and you know you’re on to a winner.

Then you have the downside of the judge’s dance. It’s terrible every week but when you add in Shirley desperately trying to get Claudia to go in the right direction and failing, well that’s next level.

Poor La Voix was going to sit this episode out but it was confirmed that she was pulling out of the competition completely, a real shame. We debated for a good couple of minutes what that meant for the final, only for Tess to announce no one was going home this week. Problem solved!

I wonder if it was this news that lifted a weight off the competitors a little bit because the dances that followed were outstanding.

Lewis & Katya - Charleston

Wonderful. I thought this might be good after his couple’s choice, and this was in a very similar style. Incredible energy, insane tricks, perfection.

Balvinder & Julian - Argentine Tango

Great song and the atmosphere was good but it felt like Balvinder wasn’t entirely confident in the steps. Balance was a bit of a problem and the lifts weren’t great. Unfortunately one of the close ups showed her really counting out loud strongly. The judges really liked it though.

Amber & Nikita - Quickstep

Poor nana on an open top bus in the coldest week of the year. I wonder if the floor was even more springy than Amber was expecting because she was absolutely flying! Fun dance, uplifting song. Frame definitely was wonky on occasion, but brilliant energy.

Karen & Carlos - Paso Doble

Absolute drama, I loved this. Great shapes, not perfect posture but improving week on week. The spins on the floor were so good, and great working with the other dancers. “I don’t have a paddle that can express how good that dance was,” said Motsi.

Alex & Johannes - Couple’s Choice

The song was a weird Shirley Bassey/Geri Halliwell remix that I wasn’t keen on. Unique style for a couple’s choice, it didn’t totally win me over but I like how good she felt doing it, it looked like she was loving it.

George & Alexis - Salsa

I can totally see why they ended the show on this, it was a great medley of songs and the energy on display! A new fun personality from George, this was absolutely brilliant. “You gave it the salsa face,” Anton said.

With no one going home, the scores and public votes get rolled over to next week. This may be the first time that I 100% agree with the order of couple’s on the list - if not quite the scores (Karen should have been 40!)

If I had been betting on the dance off, it would have to be Alex and Balvinder, both excellent but the weakest dances of the night. Very curious what this will do to performances next week, and with that new instant dance initiative to behold as well.