The glitterball trophy is shimmering ever closer as the pressure intensifies on Strictly Come Dancing. This weekend's performances are the final hurdle before the coveted Blackpool week, making every step and score absolutely critical for the eight remaining celebrity and professional pairings.
The Road to Blackpool
Tonight's episode, airing on BBC One at 6:30pm, will feature a stunning array of eight dances. The lineup includes a passionate Rumba, an elegant Waltz, and not one, but two American Smooth routines. In a highly anticipated performance, drag superstar La Voix and her partner Aljaž Škorjanec will take to the floor with a Couple's Choice routine set to Barbra Streisand's iconic "Don't Rain On My Parade".
High Scores and a Shocking Exit
The competition is fiercer than ever following last week's spectacular show. Vicky Pattison, the former Geordie Shore star, and her partner Kai Widdrington delivered a stunning Tango to Taylor Swift's "The Fate of Ophelia". They were rewarded with a near-perfect score of 39 points, with only the notoriously hard-to-please judge Craig Revel Horwood withholding a single point. Hot on their heels were stage star Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin, who impressed with a superb 38 points.
However, the competition also saw its sixth celebrity departure. Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, the athlete from the rebooted 'Gladiators', was eliminated last Sunday alongside his professional partner Karen Hauer. Their journey ended after they found themselves in the dreaded dance-off against La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec.
Surviving the Dance-Off
In a testament to the power of a standout routine, Balvinder Sopal from EastEnders managed to sail through to the next round. This was despite it being her third time in the dance-off. Her Bhangra-inspired Couple's Choice performance to "Sapphire" by Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh clearly won over the judges, securing her survival for another week. With the glamour of Blackpool's Tower Ballroom on the line, every contestant will be pulling out all the stops tonight in a bid to continue their Strictly adventure.
