It's shoooooow day

Natasha & James' Cha Cha Cha

Peaches & Robin's Viennese Waltz

Sue & Artem's Samba

Half an hour until show time There will be a few surprises tonight

Natasha & James

Training
After Bruno called their Tango last week “a gift to watch”, Natasha and James are out to impress with their Cha Cha Cha. James says Natasha is struggling with the technique of the Cha Cha, telling us “the main problem right now is Natasha’s legs. They go on forever, so they’re going to be really hard to control. Hopefully, on the night they won’t go too mad!”

Dance
Cha Cha Cha - Amy Winehouse - You Know I'm No Good

Comments
Craig - I thought it was gangly and slightly awkward at times, but your musicality is just fabulous.
Darcey - Ya Natasha, for this dance you need to straighten your legs, but I loved how you gave us a darker, more contemporary Cha Cha.
Len - I do feel a bit disappointed Natasha, because you didn’t give it much attitude! It was just a bit floppy I’m afraid.
Bruno - Oh Natasha, I can see you were struggling with this one. Don’t be upset, but come back fighting with your next Latin my girl!

Scores
Craig - 6
Darcey - 7
Len - 7
Bruno - 7

Total - 27/40

Natasha looks slightly worried as Tess tells them it's their lowest score to date.

Next up are Karina and Ian!

Karina & Ian

Training
Karina and Ian are dancing the Foxtrot this week. Karina is enjoying training, saying “the Foxtrot is my favourite dance so far; being in hold with Ian certainly helps!” But Ian still thinks Karina is struggling with performing elegantly and gracefully. Will she be able to perform correctly?

Dance
Foxtrot - Deep Blue Something - Breakfast At Tiffany's

Comments
Craig - Well it seems you have pulled it out the bag Karina. A massive improvement darling.
Darcey - Karina I absolutely loved this. You danced like a film star out there - it really was stunning. Just keep trying to get that elegance perfect.
Len - I knew you could do it! You are improving and I hope that you keep surprising us.
Bruno - Oh this was gorgeous wasn’t it! It’s so great to see that you’re thoroughly enjoying this experience, I really love watching you two.

Scores
Craig - 7
Darcey - 7
Len - 7
Bruno - 7

Total - 28/40

Karina squeals in delight after Craig's seven.

Dancing next are Brian and Kristina!

Brian & Kristina

Training
Last week Brian and Kristina received their highest score to date for their Cha Cha Cha. “Last week was fantastic. I got my highest score of the competition so far, I got to open the show and I had so much fun. I couldn’t have asked for much more,” says Brian. “Hopefully we can emulate, or even improve, on last week’s score with the Viennese Waltz.”

Dance
Viennese Waltz - Seal - Kiss From A Rose

Comments
Craig - I thought some of the footwork was a bit clumsy, but you are improving week in, week out.
Darcey - Well Brian, being in hold certainly doesn’t hold you back. My only suggestion would be to strengthen your frame because that will help improve your footwork.
Len - Oh the particle physicist comes out and delivers a performance from out this world!
Bruno - What I love about you is that you are getting better and better each week; keep going that way because you’re doing magnificent.

Scores
Craig - 6
Darcey - 6
Len - 7
Bruno - 7

Total - 26/40

"Yes! Two sevens!" the pair yell as they come through the doors.

Now we have Frida and Pasha!

Frida & Pasha

Training
For their dance this week, Frida and Pasha are doing the Samba. Frida is struggling with the technique required for the Samba, as she tells us “you have to do so many things at once; you have to move the hips, do the rolls and make sure your feet are doing the right thing too!” However, Pasha says that Frida has some great musicality, and hopefully that will help them on the night.

Dance
Samba - M People - Moving On Up

Comments
Craig - There were some obvious issues with the timing and hip action, but you did give it your all and that’s what was enjoyable about it.
Darcey - Yes Frida, the technique wasn’t all there but you did look like you were having fun and I really like that.
Len - You definitely gave it some welly and that’s what I love about the celebrities - well done!
Bruno - Perhaps there could have been a bit more hip action and footwork but wow, that was a fun dance.

Scores
Craig - 5
Darcey - 6
Len - 7
Bruno - 6

Total - 24/40

"That's not bad at all!" Frida says Tess after receiving her scores.

David and Katya are up next!

David & Katya

Training
David and Katya are dancing the Waltz this week. After the disappointment of last week, David wants to come back fighting. Katya thinks he is doing well in training, but the frame is causing problems. “David’s frame is pretty weak. In the Ballroom dances, the frame has to be firm, otherwise the judges won’t be happy.” Will they fix these issues in time for Saturday?

Dance
Waltz - Sara Bareilles - Bluebird

Comments
Craig - There were a few wobbles, and these wouldn’t have occurred had the frame been better, but that was so much better than last week.
Darcey - Thank you for this David. You are such an elegant dancer and, with time, could be one of the best we’ve ever had on Strictly.
Len - The footwork could have been a bit crisper, but you come out here and do a soft, emotional dance like that… well done lad.
Bruno - That is the first Waltz by a man that has made my skin crawl - you were fantastic.

Scores
Craig - 8
Darcey - 9
Len - 8
Bruno - 9

Total - 34/40

"You two looked amazing out there, I hope you feel proud!" Tess gushes.

Next to dance are Lisa and Brendan!

Lisa & Brendan

Training
After topping the leaderboard last week, Lisa is feeling the pressure. “Once you come top, you don’t ever want to come lower than that, but you have to face reality that you probably will. We have the Paso Doble, so I’m not counting on it, but hopefully we can remain quite high up in the leaderboard!”

Dance
Paso Doble - Edmundo Ros - Malaguena

Comments
Craig - You lost your balance on quite a few occasions and I think it could have done with a bit more drive. But you are such a great actress and it really shows.
Darcey - Everything worked so well, it really felt brilliant. There were a few stumbles, but that’s your best Latin dance to date.
Len - I don’t know what they’re going on about; what stumbles!? I thought it had plenty of drive, timing, technique, and wow… what a load of passion!
Bruno - Oh yes Lisa, the goddess strikes again! That was one passionate Paso… I want to see it all again!

Scores
Craig - 7
Darcey - 8
Len - 9
Bruno - 8

Total - 32/40

"I really loved it out there, I'm so happy with my performance," Lisa says.

Now it's Rick and Erin's turn on the floor!

Rick & Erin

Training
Rick and Erin have the Quickstep this week. Training is going well, and Rick seems to be having fun. He tells us “I LOVE the Quickstep. Obviously it is quite quick and that’s quite hard when you’re leading, but it’s honestly so much fun and I cannot wait to show our routine off!”

Dance
Quickstep - Alma Cogan - Twenty Tiny Fingers

Comments
Craig - I actually thought you coped rather well. I loved all the Charleston stuff, but you have to work on your lines and frame, I’m afraid.
Darcey - What a cute routine; the faces you were pulling only emphasises how much you’ve improved.
Len - Erin, I have to praise you. You put a smile on just about everyones faces! It was so much fun Rick, congratulations.
Bruno - It’s certainly not your most camp routine, but it was up there! Craig’s right though, you really have to work on your line extensions.

Scores
Craig - 6
Darcey - 7
Len - 7
Bruno - 6

Total - 26/40

"Craig said he loved it, that's all that matters!" Erin exclaims.

Now we have Sue and Artem!

Sue & Artem

Training
Dancing the Samba this week are Sue and Artem. Sue is finding the hip action difficult, saying “the Samba is hard work. Artem says my hip action is “OTT”, but surely you can’t get too much hips!?” A bewildered Artem looks on and says “yes you can!”

Dance
Samba - The Shapeshifters - Lola's Theme

Comments
Craig - Yep the hip action definitely looked… manufactured. It just didn’t feel like a Samba unfortunately. It could have been better.
Darcey - What you need to do is try to loosen the hips. Right now they’re quite stiff and it’s like you’re rocking them, instead of, effectively, spinning them.
Len - Well apart from the look of terror on your face, I thought it was okay for a Samba. There wasn’t much of a party going on though, I feel a bit indifferent.
Bruno - Oh Sue! Those hips can certainly jolt, not quite in the way we need them to though! It did look quite unnatural but that should come with time.

Scores
Craig - 5
Darcey - 6
Len - 6
Bruno - 6

Total - 23/40

Sue looks apprehensive whilst Artem looks on with puppy eyes while Tess reads out voting details.

Now it's time to see Jake and Natalie's dance!

Jake & Natalie

Training
After impressing the judges (except Craig) with their Viennese Waltz last week, Jake and Natalie have the Jive and are hoping they can improve even more. “This week we’re doing the Jive. Because of his height, the steps are quite flat footed and, as Craig would say, laaaaaaboured, but we should be able to sort that out for the live show,” Natalie says.

Dance
Jive - The Tractors - Baby Likes To Rock It

Comments
Craig - It was very laaaaaaboured. But, I liked it, and you are progressing.
Darcey - For such a tall guy, that was not a bad attempt. It could have been a bit lighter and sharp, but the steps were all there.
Len - Well there wasn’t any huge errors, there just needs to be a bit of fine tuning around the edges and you’ll be right up there.
Bruno - It was no where near as bad as Natalie’s Jive with Michael Vaughan, but does need a bit of work.

Scores
Craig - 6
Darcey - 6
Len - 6
Bruno - 6

Total - 24/40

"I'm happy with that," Jake says, out of breath.

Julie and Vincent are next up!

Julie & Vincent

Training
Julie and Vincent are doing the Quickstep this week. “I really am loving my time on Strictly, and the Quickstep is by far my favourite dance yet. It’s flirty and fun, so it’s the perfect package. If it is my last dance on Strictly, it would be a fantastic way to bow out. I hope not though!”

Dance
Quickstep - KT Tunstall - Black Horse And The Cherry Tree

Comments
Craig - It looked like you were being dragged around half the time, and the kicks were slightly out of time. Despite this, you did put a smile on my face.
Darcey - Next time try to lock your hand in place under Vincent’s arm because it will help with the speed of these dances.
Len - Well you are what I love about this show. Not the best dancer but you train hard, come out and have a go. I love you for that.
Bruno - Oh Julie, you are a big ray of sunshine in such dark times. It wasn’t perfect but your performance value is excellent.

Scores
Craig - 4
Darcey - 5
Len - 7
Bruno - 6

Total - 22/40

"A seven from Len! What more can I ask?" Julie celebrates.

Our penultimate couple tonight is Peaches and Robin!

Peaches & Robin

Training
After their surprising Samba this week, Peaches and Robin are training for the Viennese Waltz. “This week we’re doing the Viennese Waltz. It is a hard dance because there’s so many spins and heel turns and leads, so I’m not expecting much from the judges! But we have thrown in a fleckerl for Len, so he better be happy!” the pair tell us.

Dance
Viennese Waltz - George Harrison - Behind That Locked Door

Comments
Craig - Your spins looked rather pedestrian, in that they didn’t flow into one another. However, you are a beautiful dancer.
Darcey - Wow Peaches, you had me gripped throughout that entire routine. Your footwork, for so early on, is just mind blowing!
Len - Don’t be disheartened by Craig’s comments because that is one of the best dances this series, and I did love that fleckerl!
Bruno - I don’t know what Craig is talking about! The turns were beautifully choreographed and danced, it was all fantastic!

Scores
Craig - 8
Darcey - 9
Len - 9
Bruno - 9

Total - 35/40

"I'm over the moon, I can't believe it!" Peaches screams as Robin picks her up.

And finally tonight we have Marco and Iveta!

Marco & Iveta

Training
This week Marco and Iveta are dancing the Paso Doble. “We’ve been in the bottom two twice now, and we really would like to make it through to Halloween because Iveta does have something rather magical up her sleeve. I’m not the best dancer but I’m having so much fun and it would be such a shame for it all to end now.” But will they impress the public…

Dance
Paso Doble - Dead Or Alive - You Spin Me Round

Comments
Craig - I don’t quite know what to say. It was dreadful.
Darcey - **in laughter** Oh Marco! I can’t!
Len - You did attempt the techniques. Even though they were awful, you are entertaining and I do like your attitude towards the show.
Bruno - Well you can’t say we left the best til last… but you two are the best partnership in the show and I really hope we get to see you next week.

Scores
Craig - 1
Darcey - 6
Len - 6
Bruno - 5

Total - 18/40

"I had a ball out there but I just hope it isn't my last time," Marco says.

Keep voting, it is really close right now

Team Marco!

Do you think he'll make it through to next week Nick? Who do you think is in danger?

Either Sue, Marco or Frida I think'll go.

Definitely safe is David and Peaches.

You might be right Find out tomorrow

Morning bump