Yep... We are often in for a shock departure earlyish in the competition and I dare say they had to consider that - although will watch back to see if I can see that but as soon as the marks came that was my first thought...

But this dance played to his obvious strengths and having Katie doesn't hurt that in the slightest.

Have they been doing alternate styles for all the couples? I suspect a few have had a couple of Latin in a row?

I loved it- simple as that! No faffing about, no props, not even a story line. I didn't notice skippy, didn't notice mistakes I was just enchanted by a beautiful dance.

Common, surely that is not a very nice thing to say to Anton

Yes, credit where it's due. Anton was back in his comfort zone and that was brilliant last night.

It was easily the best ballroom routine of the evening. Craig/Darcey were probably the most just scorer's of Georgia's Quickstep, which was a technical showcase but little more.

As for the potential five way tie if Darcey hadn't scored a 9, less an issue that Katie got a (fairly deserved) 9, more that Peter/Helen/Kellie got straight 8s, when none of them (particularly Peter) were as good as Jamelia/Katie this week. Peter's particularly wrangles me because if he'd have been scored honestly, then maybe there'd have been less issue with whether Katie deserved a 9 or not.

I noticed the mistakes, but it was only really skippy in the opening out of hold. I think she settled into a more natural rise and fall with Anton leading her. I think Anton's latin should be fine throughout the competition so long as there isn't a theme. I feel his Week 1 Jive was probably an indication that he can do decent Latin, and Katie can perform it, but he got a bit too into the Pretty Woman theme last week, and without it might have done more of a proper Cha Cha. Maybe now his wrist has been slapped he'll straighten up and fly right.

It was a very accomplished performance from Katie, given the relentless content and pace of the routine, which was simply gorgeous for true ballroom lovers. More to the point, the solidity of most of her technique at this stage augers very well for the rest of her ballroom. People are really missing the point with the idea that no one can win if they don't shine at Latin - Abbey Clancy is a recent case in point as most of her Latin sucked. Thus far, the dance draw is favouring Anton. He only has to do one more party Latin - salsa or samba, neither of which will be pretty. But Paso is sufficiently close to Ballroom tango for that to be a good dance for them and even a rumba, given Katie's balletic poise, could be ok. And they have a slew of pleasing ballroom - waltz, QS, AS and Fox - yet to come.

3 words:

Anton: Argentine Tango.

Instead of feeling all pleased with himself Anton should be thinking about the next latin dance.

He was rightly ripped to pieces last week.

A repeat of that joke effort and Katie could find herself out of the competition. If she ends up in the bottom two with another poor latin dance the judges might well be forced to save a poorer dancer purely because they outperformed her on the night. That should be a major concern but I have a nasty feeling that Anton isn't too bothered as long as the ballroom goes well.

It's not his second time, it's his fourth time. The BBC are blatantly lying with this statement, which is all over twitter and facebook.

Firstly, it's 11 years, not 12. Secondly, he's been top on 3 previous occasions. In series 1 he was top of the leader board on the very first show, with Lesley Garrett, for their waltz which scored 29 points. In series 3 he was top in week 3, with Patsy Palmer, for their tango which scored 34 points. In series 7 he was top in week 4, With Laila Rouass, for their foxtrot which scored 34 points. So this is his FOURTH time at the top of the leaderboard. I realise that it's Anton's storyline this year to do well with a decent partner, but I wish the BBC would not rewrite the script!!

Well, we've never seen him try yet but I don't see any reason why he would be any worse than anyone else at this. He won't choreograph it himself (none of the pros do) and, given the fact what we get on Strictly is show AT, bearing little or no resemblance to 'real' or trad AT, I think it actually suits ballroom dancers better than Latin.

The pros get help with the AT and I'm sure a professional dancer can do a got enough job and Katie's legs and general demeanour were made for AT

I know there are some differences but if Anton and Katie's traditional Tango was as good as it was, I don't see why their Argentine version can't be as well. I'm quite looking forward to it!

We have. He did the AT with Patsy Palmer in series 3, in a group dance.

Fabulous VW, well done Katie and Anton.

Loved the way his tails flew!!

I agree. I so want them to do well but he must sort the Latin out. Do the pros have to take full responsibility for the choreography of their dances or can they get advice? If they can, I really hope he gets a good Latin choreographer in when necessary. He needs to swallow his pride in the Latin numbers, for Katie's sake if nothing else.

I am glad that he is top of the leaderboard as he has had many many rubbish partners over the years. But I still don't think that they should have got higher scores than some of the others.

If they had got the same score as the other 4, it may have made more sense.

Only second time properly as with Patsy, they split the competition in half so he was only up against half a dozen of the dancers, and I'm fairly sure with Laila he was joint top with Ricky. It's how pedantic you want to be but I think it's only his second time clear at the top of the leaderboard with everyone still in the competition dancing. Either way though, 4 times in 13 series... It's still a rarity!

Anton is looking so fit this series, there is no sign of the beer belly that his friend is sporting.

Anton fully deserved to be at the top of the leader board edy.

indeed Terry

They did indeed Sid - series 7 week 4 but he also topped the leaderboard in series 1 week 1 with Lesley Garrett - waltz. Would you believe there were only 8 couples in the first series and Anton would undoubtedly have made the final 2 had it not been for Eastenders fans voting for the ridiculous antics of Christopher Parker.

Series 3 and week 3 saw Anton and Patsy Palmer atop the board again for their tango - so he does have some experience of looking down on everyone else - but yes it was good to see his delight.

BIB 1. Not so - they topped the leaderboard against all other competitors with 34 points.
BIB 2. Again they did not share top spot - they scored 34 points; one ahead of Zoe and James. Ricky W and Natalie were on 32.

No ties there.

Sorry you are wrong. It's not his second time properly. It's his fourth time properly. They did not split the competition in half when he was with Patsy. Where on earth are you getting that information from? In series 3 they started with 12 couples. All 12 couples danced on the first show and by show 3 there were 10 couples dancing. Patsy and Anton were top.

You are also wrong that he was joint top (when he danced with Laila) with Ricky. They were top on their own. 34 points. Ricky was actually joint third on that week.

It's not being pedantic, it's getting your facts right. The BBC were clearly wrong when they said it was his second time. I sincerely hope this lie will not be repeated on ITT this week.

I dont think he will make the final

I don't see why he should be any worse either. The only thing AT really has in common with the other Latin dances is the name. But in some important respects I think it has more in common with ballroom. It is very dependent on frame, posture and a strong centre. Granted the frame and posture differ with the body weight pitched forward in AT and not pulling up and out as in Ballroom. However you still need to be pulled up and keep the shoulders down and the back straight. It calls for neat, precise, clean footwork; not that Latin dances don't of course.

What I do know is the students I help teach who come from ballet and ballroom (ie through the medal system) do better than students who come from styles like rock and roll, modern jive, salsa et al.

I hope he does get to do AT. I think he will be fine and would like to see it.

They have the salsa this week
If they both managed to do a commandable job then I will say that they have a very good chance of getting to the finals; this dance might be a good test.