1. Daisy & Aljaz Salsa: Horrible tune means they need to do disco salsa, which is always the worst. However, Daisy manages some slinky hips with those long legs of hers. Lifts also excellent. But the routine didn't seem to go anywhere and she didn't quite seem to 'let go.' Still, very enjoyable.

2. Greg & Nat Paso: Nat giving it lots of skirtage, Greg giving lots of attitude and looking very handsome. He was wearing the proper matador trousers which made his legs look like they went on forever. He did create a lot of resistance in the body and Nat took advantage of the strength in his legs with a jump & knee walk here or there. Arm shaping left something to be desired and excessive shoulder hunching going on there. He's still not a dancer, but he's gradually improving. Has he hit a ceiling now? Not sure. Enjoyable again.

3. Rob & Oksana FT: Playing it straight this time. I thought it had a lovely, floaty and elegant quality while still having a couple of playful moments fitting his personality. I think this is the way they should have gone all along (not that they were given a choice). Technique still leaves something to be desired but getting better. Would like it if Oksana reduces hairography a bit, though. Best put down of the series so far when Craig started going on about Rob's expression instead of his dancing, saying he'd improved his face so that he could look at it now and enjoy himself. Quick as a flash, Judge came back with "let me know when that happens for you, Craig". Bwahahahah!

4. Ore & Jo rumba: The most sexless and least romantic rumba on the show. Got the impression Ore would be doing just as well/better dancing without Jo there. Generally speaking, I'm trying to avoid comparisons with J, but I noticed the same thing with both Ore and Danny - experts might contradict me, but it seemed to me they both were 'faking' their hip movement (achieving it just by rotating - I think dancers call it "popping" the hips?). Only J achieved the hip movement organically by 'settling' into the standing leg. However, Ore did achieve some lovely arm movement in parts.

5. Ed & Katya salsa: Dance of the season! Katya is a total genius. Unlike Karen with Will's Bollywood adventure, Katya always kept in mind that this was supposed to be a salsa. So there was a lot of salsa basic in there. Ed was absolutely terrible at it with not the slightest bit of hip movement, picking up the legs etc. etc., and visibly counting along for all he was worth , but the content was there. Layered on top were the Gangnam moves, with an additional spectacular twist and some Dad dancing thrown in. Then some great lifts - the mount into the first was a little ropey, but dismount was good and lifts after that were incredibly smooth - as good as we've seen from other contestants. I'm not sure whether it was intentional, but I noticed that with the first lift, once he had Katya settled on his shoulders, Ed's footwork was in time with the music. I suspect that it was intentional, and I was impressed. Absolutely hysterically funny and well worth a place in Blackpool.

6. AJ & Cloudier VW: pretty little dance, but a bit forgettable. Music seemed a bit slow to me which gave it a slightly lethargic feel. Shame for them also that it came after the Ed Balls extravaganza.

7. Doti AT: I just can't like this one, and it's because of the music. I don't like the song in the first place, and the arrangement they made of it gave the routine more of a "Paso" feel. However, AT expert on another thread gave this one the thumbs up and she is normally extremely critical, so I understand this one to be a great dance and my dislike is personal.Also didn't like the frill on Oti's dress which just got in the way. A bit of a shame too that Danny doesn't have J's legs, as J's length of leg would go better with Oti - this dance showed up the difference in a couple of places.

8. Louise & Kev AS: Frustrating. I was hoping for something a bit better here - it had all the ingredients. Kev being more restrained (I like him so much more with Louise than I did with Kellie), minimal faff, campest tune evah. There was just one moment (at 00:57) where I thought she might break through - she threw caution to the wind for a moment and just flung her head to one side and arm down with abandon. You could see the difference in her body, which suddenly had punch. But the next moment, we were back to controlled and placed. Such a shame.