Link

This is interesting.

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-...-running-order

Extracts more on the link.

When it comes to a celebrity's chances of being in the dreaded dance-off, it doesn't really matter where they are in the running order – UNLESS they are performing the last dance of the night. If they have that coveted final spot, it makes them practically immune to elimination

In fact, in the entire 12-year history of Strictly Come Dancing – excluding semi-finals and finals – there have been only seven occasions where the couple who came last in the running order had to face the dance-off.

So why is this? It could have something to do with voters’ memories: with the final dance fresh in their minds, audience members may be inspired to pick up the phone as soon as the vote opens.

More likely, showrunners decide to highlight a celebrity they think will close the show in spectacular fashion and see it out on a high. This is backed up by how frequently the final dance tops the leaderboard: for instance, the couples who closed the show for the first seven weeks last year came either first or second.

In most competitions the final slot is the coveted slot. However not true in Strictly as it clashes with the x-factor and most people turn over at 8pm, hence miss the final one or two dances. Luckily I missed Mr Balls tonight

How did he do on the leader board - was he bottom again ?

No, one above. Want to know who came bottom?

'Most people turn over at 8pm' to watch the X Factor.

You are kidding right

I certainly don't - never watched any of it ever and I never will

I've seen similar logic over the years for the Eurovision song contest, first and last place in the running order being the best. I think the death slot is something odd like 4th or 7th.

Agree.