Oh bless him, he's really enjoying the liberation that Strictly's affording him, isn't he?

I wonder if he'll want to get back into politics after this, or if he'd rather do a Michael Portillo and carve out a nice little niche for himself in the media? He's certainly proving himself to be personable enough.

Awful, awful music for an AS this week.

Don't know why it's taken me so long to post in here but Ed Balls for the Glitter ball IMO Love him!!

I cannot stop watching this dance - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FENx5YSzExM but pretty much just for the sheer panic on Katya's face when Ed clearly doesn't follow the choreography LOL (1.05 to 1.08)

She don't half chuck herself around (the end) especially considering the man she's relying on (catching her) just forgot half the dance lol

Yep, Ed's just gone off merrily doing his own thing, whilst Katya stands there waiting for him to start doing the actual choreography again

I've got a soft spot for Ed & Katya

Really interesting bit about stammering. He does come across really well.

Looking forward to seeing Ed with his spray tan this evening. He really is a good sport, and posted a funny video about it on his Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/edballs/posts/

Yes, I saw the tanning video! . I see also that Tony Christie has wished him luck!

Rooting for Ed & Katya again tonight but seriously peeved that he's got such awful music for his AS.

Perhaps his best hope will be that whatever Katya has choreographed can disguise the dissonance between the dance & the music - and maybe if the music is allowed to dominate the proceedings, the voting audience will love the performance on account of Amarillo's feel good, happy clappiness.

Ever the optimist, me!

Good luck tonight Ed & Katya. I agree, the music is woeful but I know Katya will do the best she can with what she's given. I still don't feel like it's their time to go!

Unlike my much respected Ballsup fans here I think the music they have will suit a foxtrot AS. I'm hopeful that Ed can produce some good form with some wonderful lifts. I can already see the footwork to "shalalalala, shalalala, la, sweet Marie waits for me ..."

If he can do something well tonight then he will surivive until next week. f he does I would like a jive to Great Balls of Fire around a flaming cauldron, with some balls bubbling on the surface

Whose?

Whose you would you like?

I imagined tennis balls, fibroid balls (after a Margaret Atwood short story), or truffle chocolate balls. I'm happy to substitute them with some human male's pieces of anatomy ...

I had to vote for them.

Loved Katya's choreography. It's a shame it all went a bit pear shaped. I enjoyed watching it though as always (except the dodgy lift!). I want them in Halloween Week

Craig's scores for Ed are ridiculous. Thought it was a good dance even with the failed lift. Loved Katya's outfit.

Shame about the lift! Twitter loved it though!

Just found this thread. Hope I'm not too late and that Ed and Katya have at least another week or two to entertain us.

It was a shame about the lift and I agree with other posters about the music but, on the whole, I think our Ed did rather well. He has been a revelation to me, love him.

I made a promise to myself only free votes this year. But I felt Ed needed some help so voted a few more. I hope it's enough because I think he can dance but is pushed into the clown act by the SCD producers. Without him and other no hopers the show is flat. It's a first for me to look out for the bottom feeders instead of the better dancers. I just find the who thing quite predictable and beige

What a shame about the botched lift. I actually thought he was doing okay up until then. If they survive to next week, one can only imagine what kind of character & theme they will put on them

Well at least next week they would have an excuse I suppose. Bring on the fake blood and cobwebs

Hey guys!

I'm loving Ed! he is quality entertainment every single week. I would secretly love it if he made the final. I know he isn't the best dancer but he is giving it his all and you can tell how much he is loving it. I just find him so endearing which is weird because when he was an MP I didn't like him much! if he had only shown this was his personalty way back he might still have his seat

Hello Whoopie Doo. Completely agree with you re-his personality as an MP! It's nice when a public persona gets a chance to re-invent themselves and to do so in a positive way. I think Michael Portillo achieved something similar, although he's a less sincere character than Ed.

I hope Ed gets a really good dance under belt, with a score above 5 from Craig, before he leaves.

Cha cha cha this week. That's difficult to make look good technically, but should be bright and breezy and fun. (With all due respect to Ed I doubt that it will be cheeky and sexy as usually described, although Katya will get a chance to look good.). Ed seems to be enjoying learning it.

I wasn't keen on Ed the MP either. Ed the human being seems much more attractive.

Without a doubt, that's the funniest, most joyous thing I've ever seen on Strictly - in a good way. I've laughed so much my very slight, asthmatic proclivity has kicked in so I'm off outside for a breath of sweet, night air to give my lungs a break.

Well done Ed - and Katya, of course. I just love you two.

It was fab wasn't it!? Hope I'm not being too optimistic by hoping for another week of survival. He surely deserves it after that!