Finally I'm ready to start

Sorry it's so late tonight but we ended up at a Halloween party!

Everyone's doing a different dance this week so comparisons will be difficult to make, but i'll try my best!

Click here to comment!

Blog will be late tonight

We're going to the firework and bongire display at Upton Court Park in Slough, will blog my comments later!

Click here to comment!

The result

Same as last week, I don't think anyone has to predict this one!

Another no-question 4-0 send home.

This is going to make the next couple of weeks really tough for those that are left though as the two [debatably] worst dancers have now left the show.

Click here to comment!

The dance off!

Time for Jo to go i'm afraid.

Another good performance from Jade & Ian and a better one from Jo but still no contest between the two.

Click here to comment!

The moment of truth!

Expecting a Jo and Craig dance-off, but how will the audience have voted? Also for those that were at the Royal Albert Hall with us last week I hope you recognised the World Champions on the night doing their display!

Truly amazing dancers and you can see why they're number 1 in the world! Shame we were up in the circle as you do miss the impact from dancers like that.

---

On to the moment of truth then, and a shock first save for Craig.

Surprised to see Jade & Ian in the dance-off, but no chance now that Jo will survive to dance again next week.

Click here to comment!

Leaderboard

Leaderboard this week is as follows:

1. 37 points - Ali & Brian
2. 33 points - Zoe & James
3. 32 points - Jade & Ian
3. 32 points - Ricky & Natalie
5. 29 points - Ricky & Erin
5. 29 points - Natalie & Vincent
7. 28 points - Chris & Ola
7. 28 points - Laila & Anton
9. 25 points - Phil & Katya
10. 18 points - Craig & Flavia
11. 14 points - Jo & Brendan

I don't think there was much between Zoe and Ali tonight and I don't think Ali was 4 points better than Zoe, but still think that top spot is accurate - shame Zoe had those couple of slips. Also still surprised that Chris is so far down the table...

The bottom of the table looks as expected and I do think this week will see the bottom two in the dance-off, with Jo likely to be the one to go.

How would you have scored it?

Click here to comment!

Laila Rouass & Anton du Beke - Samba

An awful Jive last week could well have seen them leaving, but the public saved them - rightly so I think. How will the Samba compare?

Anton's very much a Ballroom boy so I wouldn't be surprised if he haad to pick up a few things from Laila.

A very funky routine and looking really good, up to the first travelling voltas that Laila unfortunately made a slight hash of.

Not their best dance, but not even close to their worst. I think it will get 7's.

Click here to comment!

Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna - American Smooth

I expected Ali to struggle with the Jive last week and unfortunately was proved correct. Back to Ballroom should see Ali return to form.

Impressive leg lift in the middle of the routine, shame that there just appears to be a few issues occurring throughout the routine.

Definitely back on track, just a shame that a few errors appeared to creep in, should be looking at 8's though.

Click here to comment!

Jo Wood & Brendan Cole - Samba

With one Joe going out last week will the other Jo survive tonight?

Mistakes abound and Brendan almost throws Jo across the room during the pivots at the end of the promenade runs.

I found it quite painful to watch i'm afraid Jo, but you did look like you enjoyed yourself tremendously.

This is going to be the bottom of the table i'd have thought, and lucky if she does achieve 5's.

Click here to comment!

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - American Smooth

So an American Smooth with no lifts...that's a first for Strictly. How will it fair with the judges?

Natalie needs to relax the shoulders and make sure she is leaning away from Vincent as it does ruin the top line look at the moment.

A nice routine obviously lacking in the wow factor due to no lifts, and just felt a little lacklustre.

I think it should get 7's though.

Click here to comment!

Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Samba

Although I don't agree with the 10 they received last week Ricky is still definitely the one to beat.

A little too feminine , with less hip action then i'd actually expect. Also steps were all wrong in the promenade runs.

Better hip action later in the dance but needs to avoid bunching his hands.

Not his best dance but will probably achieve 8's.

Click here to comment!

Ricky Groves & Erin Boag - American Smooth

Ricky and Erin have decided to choose a Viennese Waltz as their American Smooth dance and from the training videos I think that could prove to be a good choice.

Shame he was out of time at the start there as they came together. An excellent performance, with a cheeky bit of Quickstep thrown in for good measure. Looked a little uncomfortable during the second lift however.

Should comfortably get 8's.

Click here to comment!

Craig Kelly & Flavia Cacace - Samba

Craig hasn't really managed a good Latin dance so far in the competition, and unfortunately I don't think Samba is going to be any different.

A very timid performance and lacking in the drive and energy normally expected in a Samba, though Craig does appear to be enjoying himself.

A few mistakes, and a lack of hip action will see this being lucky to get 6's I think.

Click here to comment!

Zoe Lucker & James Jordan - American Smooth

A surprise dance-off competitor last week, this has really shown all the celebrities that you're never really safe if the public don't vote for you.

Having seen Zoe's previous ballroom outings I'm expecting something special tonight.

A very elegant performance really let down by the mistakes at the end of the routine. However I think this will easily get 8's.

Click here to comment!

Phil Tufnell & Katya Virshilas - Samba

So Phil's turn to try the Brazilian carnival dance, lot's of bounce and hip action required Phil!

Quite a fast track they've picked for this Samba and I don't think it's doing them any favours.

Absolutely no bounce and it looks very wooden except for the staged hip movement sections.

For me I'd have to say a 6 i'm afraid.

Click here to comment!

Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan - American Smooth

Although I consider the Foxtrot to be the hardest of the ballroom dances, American Smooth is another thing entirely, due to the introduction of lifts.

The American Smooth is the application of a bit of Hollywood glitz and glamour to any of the five ballroom dances: the Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Quickstep or Viennese Waltz. To bring in a semblance of rules for Strictly the couples are limited to two lifts in their routine.

Personally I would say that the male celebrities have the harder job due to being the ones that have to actually lift their partner.

It will be interesting to see how Chris copes with the technique involved.

I still think Chris has good hands, though they are a bit splayed at times, especially when he has his hand on Ola's back.

This is shaping up to be a very good performance and some well executed lifts. Couldn't see his footwork but this could well be 9's.

Click here to comment!

Jade Johnson & Ian Waite - Samba

So Ian has done well in the Samba in the past, let's see how they get on tonight.

Jade needs to pick her head up and it's not as bouncy-feeling as i'd have liked but overall a very good performance.

Not sure how the judges will go but I think it'll be 8-9.

Click here to comment!

Quite a bit late tonight!

So we've finally got home (about 3 hours later than expected) and we've started up the hard drive and settled down to watch.

Sorry that I didn't get time this week to do my normal preview so will just have to see how it all looks 'on the night'!

Click here to comment!