Jane & Ian

Training: After earning praise and high marks for her Tango last week, Jane is feeling positive. “Getting good comments and scores does make you feel better about the next dance. Although, I’m not quite sure if this applies as this week we’ve got the Samba!”

Dance: Samba - Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody

Craig: It was dreadful. It was littered with timing issues, your footwork was sloppy and the “I’m a mum having fun” attitude made it look really dated and cringey. Not your best, darling.

Darcey: Ohh Craig… Jane, I absolutely loved it! The Samba is a party dance and boy did you have a party out there. Okay, there were a few minor errors, but the fun you had was undeniable.

Len: I think that may qualify as one of Bruno’s favourite dances ever. Everything was going on at once, but that’s what I loved about it. A full on party from start to end!

Bruno: I think Craig’s in a bit of a grump over there. We all loved it, didn’t we? It did make me laugh, and cry, but I loved it. Your technique was questionable, but that perm makes up for it babe!

Scores:
Craig - 3
Darcey - 6
Len - 7
Bruno - 7

Total - 23/40

"Eeeeekk!" Ian looks away in horror as Craig reveals his score.

Boris and Katya are next to dance!

Boris & Katya

Training: Dancing the Quickstep this week are Boris and Katya. After ending up in the bottom two last week, Katya is desperate to get through to next week. “The bottom two is a horrible place to be; we definitely don’t want to be there again. Hopefully our Quickstep can pull us through!”

Dance: Quickstep - Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga - The Lady Is A Tramp

Craig: Were you wearing a plank of wood down the back of your shirt? Your posture was horrendous, and you were very static. That being said, this was one of your better performances.

Darcey: You were slightly motionless, and you didn’t show much emotion, but I can tell underneath you were enjoying it. Please, next time you have a fun dance, let us see that you’re having fun whilst your dancing.

Len: Oh Boris, what can I say? I don’t think you’re ever going to be number one in the ballroom, but I did like this. It was a classic, traditional Quickstep, and it was your best yet.

Bruno: It wasn’t all that exciting, I’m afraid. To make me sit up and take notice, you have to really put on a show. This was a big song, but you didn’t make it a big dance I’m afraid.

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

Total - 24/40

Claudia mutters "undermarked" after the scores are announced.

Performing now will be Fearne and Pasha!

Fearne & Pasha

Training: Fearne doesn’t think finishing first place on the leaderboard last week will affect her. She says “it’s obviously a really nice feeling, but I can’t put too much pressure on myself. There will be some dances that won’t suit me and will probably move me down a bit. I have to prepare myself for that.”

Dance: Waltz - Lady Antebellum - If I Knew Then

Craig: Your head was slightly out of position towards the end, but… this was gorgeous. I loved the continuous spinning section, and the ending was tremendous. Darcey almost had to get her tissues out!

Darcey: Fearne, I loved this. You have an incredibly quality when you dance. You just let everyone watching get lost in the dance with you. I was totally transfixed and I’m missing it already!

Len: You put so much character and emotion into every single one of your dances, it makes them so much more real and believable. Girl, you are going to go far, and I hope you realise that.

Bruno: Oh Fearne, you melted my heart out there. Your lines are just stunning, and your footwork is unbelievable for week three. I think everyone in the room had a tear in their eye - even Len!

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

Total - 34/40

Fearne screams when Len gives his score.

Tim and Aliona are up next!

Tim & Aliona

Training: Tim speaks about the pleasure of reaching week three, telling us “I did think I would be out first, so it’s quite nice to be here. Every extra week is a bonus. I’m looking forward to our next dance - the Paso Doble. I hope the judges and public at home like it too!”

Dance: Paso Doble - Boney M - Daddy Cool

Craig: I seriously believe this dance could be used as a definition of a dance disaster. I don’t think I can say any more in case I have a heart attack reminding myself of the dance.

Darcey: No Craig, it was entertaining! You did put a disco twist on the Paso Doble, but it was inventive - I liked it. And most of all, it was fun and lively, and that’s what dancing should be!

Len: I could see you were giving it your all. I’m going to give you an extra mark for attempting to do a floor spin, even though it didn’t work. But good on you for giving it a go.

Bruno: It was missing a bit of Spanish lines, but you put a smile on my face. I think for someone over sixty to put so much effort in and produce that is remarkable. I applaud you for that alone.

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

Total - 17/40

The audience and Claud-pit all boo when Craig reveals his score.

Now we have Amy and Kevin!

Amy & Kevin

Training: Despite receiving a mixed reaction for their Jive, Amy and Kevin are determined to dance a good Quickstep. Amy says “getting not the best comments for our Jive has put fire in our bellies to improve. We want to get better and better, and hopefully our Quickstep will allow us to do that!”

Dance: Quickstep - Paloma Faith - Trouble With My Baby

Craig: I love how you put a storyline into this dance. It really did make it much more engaging. I did question your performance skills, but you’ve proved me wrong with this. Definitely your best dance yet.

Darcey: It’s so great to see you enjoy dancing. I did notice your frame getting a bit loose once or twice, but overall, it was a huge improvement on your last dance, and you should be proud of yourself.

Len: Oh Amy, that was one quick Quickstep, I couldn’t tell if you were coming or going at some points! I really can’t wait to see what you come up with for Musicals week!

Bruno: I absolutely adored all the Charleston sections and the fun you put into that. Yes, it is quite a serious number, but you put plenty of jazz into that and it made it so much fun!

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

Total - 31/40

"Three eights!" Amy squeals to Kevin as they run off backstage.

Dancing next are Charlie and Flavia!

Charlie & Flavia

Training: After earning a respectable 49 out of 80 for their first two dances, Charlie and Flavia are hoping to do even better. Flavia thinks Charlie’s Rumba training is going well, stating “I think he’s doing well. He’s nailing the technique but we just have to work on his performance a little.”

Dance: Rumba - Ellie Goulding - Your Song

Craig: I found it a bit boring, to be honest. It didn’t really go anywhere, even with the build up of the song. You really need to work on your acting, or you’ll just end up middle of the road.

Darcey: Charlie, that was great. I think you’ll improve your performance skills with time, but this was a good start. Males tend to find the Rumba quite tricky, but you did a great job with it.

Len: Your technique really is good, but the dance as a whole would look so much more polished with a little more emotion. We’re not really getting anything other than 1-2-3-4 from you.

Bruno: Craig’s right - it was a bit boring. I think the fault lies in both parties - Flavia, the choreography could have been much more exciting, and Charlie - the emotion just wasn’t there.

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

Total - 27/40

"Middle of the road? I'll take that!" Charlie jokes.

Now we have Siva and Iveta!

Siva & Iveta

Training: Despite getting the highest score in week one, Siva and Iveta were bumped down to second place on last week’s combined leaderboard. Iveta says they can’t be complacent, telling us “your score can change with one mistake. We can’t afford an error, otherwise we could be in a lot of danger.”

Dance: Samba - Ricky Martin - She Bangs

Craig: Your hip action could still be much better. You’re a young guy, come on, give us some more welly! That being said, you put on a show tonight, and boy was it a hot show!

Darcey: I love how you worked with the accents in the music to create a really sharp and spicy Samba. My only criticism was your Samba rolls could have moved more across the floor, but… I loved it!

Len: If I’m honest, I’m usually not too keen on the Samba. It’s a little too wild for my liking. But this, well this was different. It was perfectly calm and collected, but it still had the party vibe. And it was very very hot indeed!

Bruno: That Samba was so full of content I thought I had zonked out and someone had put me on a plane to Brazil! You gave a perfect taste of Brazil with the technique and the performance, it was fantastic.

Scores:
Craig - 8
Darcey - 8
Len - 8
Bruno - 8

Total - 32/40

"We're really pleased with that!" Iveta tells Claudia.

Now it's Mel and Robin's turn to dance!

Mel & Robin

Training: Mel and Robin are trying to put last week’s disappointing Jive behind them. This week they have got the Foxtrot, and Mel is feeling much more positive. She says “I feel much better about the Foxtrot than the Jive. It’s slower, classier and I feel much more comfortable doing it!”

Dance: Foxtrot - ABBA - When All Is Said And Done

Craig: You did look so much more at ease this week, but… there was still quite a lot wrong with it. At times it looked like Robin was dragging you around a bit, and it does make the whole think look awkward and bumpy.

Darcey: Oh Mel, this was sweet. I absolutely adore that song, and I think you did it justice tonight. It was a little unsteady, but you did so much better than your Jive, and I think you know that.

Len: Well, Mel… well done. That dance was full of tricky technique, and although there were a few wobbles, I liked it and you did well. You look so much more happy this week, and it’s great to see.

Bruno: It’s great to see you happy after dancing. I know you had a bad week last week, but I think that has only made you stronger. I really want to see that all over again, because it was just lovely.

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

Total - 24/40

Mel jumps up and down with delight after her scores are announced.

Kate and James are next to perform!

Kate & James

Training: After Craig criticised Kate and James’ Rumba last week, they are out to show him they can dance Latin. Kate says “we want to prove to Craig that we can do Latin. We have the Jive this week and I am going to give it everything I’ve got and go wild!”

Dance: Jive - Jennifer Rush - Higher Ground

Craig: I’m pleased to say there were no obvious errors. I was expecting much worse after your Rumba last week, and I am pleasantly surprised. Your performance skills are getting better as well. It was a fun dance.

Darcey: You really did well with the synchronisation work. Everything was in time and on the beat. My only little moan is that you were going so fast that it looked a bit rushed. But I would watch that again and again if I could.

Len: Oh Kate, that was a lot of fun. You had fun doing that didn’t you? All the little tricks you threw in suited the song choice and the dance. I think you are proving to be a bit of a dark horse…

Bruno: We do talk a lot about kicking really sharply, but I have to say, I think you were kicking too sharply. At one point it looked like you kicked James in the butt! But, so, so much fun.

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

Total - 26/40

Kate does a celebratory dance when Craig gives his comments.

Our penultimate couple tonight is Julie and Vincent!

Julie & Vincent

Training: Julie and Vincent are dancing the Paso Doble this week. Vincent thinks Julie is struggling, telling us “Julie is a naturally lively and bubbly woman, and I’m not sure if the Paso Doble is suiting her personality. It is quite hard to be aggressive and mean, and I think she’s realising that.”

Dance: Paso Doble - Paso Doble - El Gato Montes

Craig: I think Vincent was right in your VT - mean doesn’t suit you unfortunately. You looked so uncomfortable and on edge, I really thought you were going into labour or something. Your uneasiness made it look really stiff and starchy.

Darcey: What!? I have no idea what Craig is on about, it was perfectly full of attitude and aggressiveness. I did think there was a section in the middle that could have been done better, but that was a Spanish treat.

Len: That was a proper Paso Doble, and I loved it. I think there could have been a bit more passion between you two, but you played the part well, and your technique was outstanding.

Bruno: Okay, it wasn’t your best dance, but it really wasn’t as bad as Craig is trying to say! I thought it was a nice blend between overly aggressive and light and fluffy. There’s no denying that you put everything into giving the best performance you can.

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

Total - 26/40

"Undermarked!" "Ten!" the Claud-pit yells during the scores reveal.

And finally tonight we have Sam and Ola!

Sam & Ola

Training: Dancing the Viennese Waltz this week are Sam and Ola. Sam is enjoying training this week, telling us “it’s nice to be doing a proper, traditional Ballroom dance, although I am feeling dizzy from all the spins!” Will his dizziness mark the difference between good and bad feedback?

Dance: Viennese Waltz - INXS - Never Tear Us Apart

Craig: I liked the section in the middle with the spins; your footwork was great there, and I liked the fleckerl, but your hand was creeping up on to Ola’s shoulder when it should be further down.

Darcey: Oh Sam, that was adorable. You look so brilliant together, and what’s even better, is that you dance so well together. For me, that was my favourite dance of the series so far.

Len: You really are growing up into a Ballroom boy, young lad. One thing that annoyed me, just a tad, was that you weren’t holding on to Ola in the proper Ballroom way. Your hand was doing a dance on its own, and that did let me down a little.

Bruno: My my, Sam, there were so many spins in that I thought my eyes were going to pop out! But you are turning into a fantastic dancer. I really can’t wait to see your next dance!

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

Total - 34/40

The audience boo at Len's "picky" comments, according to Claudia.

---MEL AND ROBIN---

Couples Remaining
Andrew & Natalie
Boris & Katya
Charlie & Flavia
Jane & Ian
Julie & Vincent
Kate & James
Sam & Ola
Siva & Iveta
Tim & Aliona
Tracey & Brendan

Joining them will be...

---CHARLIE AND FLAVIA---

Couples Remaining
Andrew & Natalie
Boris & Katya
Jane & Ian
Julie & Vincent
Kate & James
Siva & Iveta
Tim & Aliona
Tracey & Brendan

And now the first couple in the bottom two tonight, and in danger of leaving the competition is…