Winter Olympic gold medallist Tabby Stoecker and Canadian pro Mark Karmalita got a scare last week, plummeting from the top to the bottom of the leaderboard. The quickstep wasn't their dance, it seemed, but the paso just night be. Tabby looking fierce in a red-and-black traditional dress with full skirt. Little stutter at the start and timing off in places, with Tabby looking hurried. Lacking urved line but strong and powerful with Spanish flavour. Dramatic, intense, fiery, olé!
Supermassive Black Hole by Muse. The 2006 anthem mixes alt-rock guitars with a funky electronic beat, inspired by Matt Bellamy's visits to New York clubs. It was used in Twilight, Doctor Who, Black Mirror and as the wake-up music for Space Shuttle Atlantis astronauts on the vessel's final day in space. THIS IS THE MUSE.
Ginger Neil does a link. Well, he's got to do something, I guess. Keep him busy or he'll just start smashing up phone boxes and get himself in trouble.
Judges' scores: 5 (boo!), 8, 7, 8 for a total of 28 points. Yet another uneven verdict from the panel. Graeme just hopes his dancing is helping somebody out there. Lauren pays sweet tribute to his emotional, softer side.
Judges' comments: Motsi says "we only have one life and I'm glad you're here with us today, emotional and moving, although I want more stretch and extension". Shirley says "you powered across the floor and shifted your weight, keep extending but I'm all emotional". Anton says "a theatrical, lyrical American smooth, the perfect number for you, you danced with Lauren beautifully, swept her around and lifted her well, a joy". Craig concludes "not a technical masterpiece but you were reliving a moment in time and bringing someone to life, emotion is just as important".
Josh has goosebumps and his voice wobbles with emotion.
Canine expert Graeme Hall has scrubbed off the green face paint from his Halloween zombie samba to deliver something altogether more heartfelt. Graeme had a stroke in 2019, caused by a hole in the heart. He recovered fully but realises he's one of the lucky ones. He received lots of supportive messages from viewers, reassuring him that there's life after such health emergencies, and this dance is dedicated to them. Lyrical and floaty contempo-waft with ballroom touches which play to Graeme's strengths. Intertwined with pro partner Lauren Oakley and leading well, although she's dancing around him at times. Slight falter mid-routine. Emotional and tender. Full of hope and connection as leaves fall. A life-affirming reminder that there's light at the end of the tunnel. Something in my eye, how about you?
The Book Of Love by Peter Gabriel. This 1999 tune was originally by US indie band the Magnetic Fields, from their legendary triple album 69 Love Songs. After Gabriel joined them on-stage to perform it for a live encore, he recorded his own cover version.
Judges' scores: 4 (boo!), 7, 7, 8 for a total of 26 points. A four-pont spread which is just plain silly. Bottom as it stands.
John is as game as a pheasant. Love that for him.
John shimmies up the stairs and even Craig cracks a smile.
Judges' comments: Shirley says "loved the lifts and choreography needed more rotation in the basics and musicality in the body". Anton says "you're so secure and don't flinch, need more groove and rhythm but otherwise great". Craig gets a long round of boos says "the wiggles were like a toddler having a tantrum, too place and ploddy, stuck in the mud". Motsi concludes improved on your last Latin dance, good leading bit you stopped dancing in between beats".
"I spent half of that dance talking into your bum," says Katya. Enduring image.
Football content creator John Nellis worked up a helluva sweat during his latex-clad Halloween tango and will be glad to wear something more airy. Pro partner Katya Jones has been worried that John's had too much fun in training, such is his relish for the salsa. A bouncy party mood, in contrast to last week's moody intensity. Booty shaking, shoulder shimmies and changes of rhythm. Hip action and rhythm in his body. Spicy and saucy with some of Katya's trademark tricks. He's a bit ploddy in places but huge fun and a spectacular upside-down finish.
Get Lucky by Daft Punk feat. Pharrell and Nile Rodgers. The 2013 disco-house hit topped the UK chart for four weeks, selling 1.3m copies. No less than Stevie Wonder joined them to perform it live at the 2014 Grammys, where it won two awards.
Motsi & Shirley. Not to be confused with Pepsi & Shirley. Wham, thank you ma'ams.
Josh is in a better club: Motsi & Shirley's Latin Ladies. It involves fruit on hats. Consider this my application.