Strictly’s 12th of November show – the last before the Wembley extravaganza, more than lived up to its billing as the most exciting yet in the current series.
Alex and James were up first with a jive. Alex, dressed as a cheerleader, then picked up a ragdoll and did a little girl act. But the doll quickly went, thankfully, and Alex started throwing herself around and Bruno loved it all.

Robbie and Ola’s smooth American number came up next. Robbie was a touch wobbly here and but somehow pulled it off and Bruno gave Robbie’s ability to sway the thumbs up.

Audley and Natalie’s Cha-cha failed to impress, unfortunately, and Bruno came down hard on the unfortunate boxer, whilst Len was hard but fair saying: “…the only way you’re going to Wembley is on the Jubilee line”. Those looking at the Strictly Come Dancing odds wouldn’t have been impressed.

Then Harry and Aliona’s Argentine Tango saw fake moustaches but, despite the cheesiness, the dance came off very well indeed; the first 10 score of the current series from Bruno – and yet another 10 from Alesha!

Next, Jason and Kristina’s Viennese Waltz saw the Australian back (well almost…) to his best, and the judges loved it yet again. Anyone looking for Strictly Come Dancing tips should bear this in mind.

Chelsee and Pasha’s Foxtrot was a nice surprise. Chelsee’s preview claim not to be at all elegant wasn’t reflected in her routine and the judges loved it.

Anita and Robin also went for an Argentine Tango. It was an intense and highly dramatic number but the judges didn’t award highly dramatic scores and Anita’s hanging on to her place in the competition by a slender thread; much like some of her costumes.

Holly and Brendan, meanwhile, came in with a daring Rumba as Artem wasn’t fit to dance. The good news for Holly is that there wasn’t a lot of footwork involved, and the judges were a little mixed in their opinion.

Russell and Flavia yet again provided the best entertainment if not the best dancing ability. Another American Smooth saw a mixed performance and Len summed it up well, saying – “The music was ‘I am what I am’, you are what you are, and that was what that was”. Craig added: “Immortal dahhling”.

In the end, Harry finished top with poor Audley at the bottom, so no Wembley appearance for the big man, sadly.
Off to Wembley we go…

After failing to pull off a convincing enough impression of a dancer, TV impressionist and funny man Rory Bremner is the latest celebrity contestant to get the boot from Strictly Come Dancing 2011.

Rory and his partner, professional dancer Erin Boag, landed at the bottom of the score board this weekend, along with the indestructible Nancy Dell’Olio and her professional dancing partner Anton Du Beke.  Those looking at the Strictly Come Dancing odds will know neither pair have looked good.

Despite a gallant attempt at the Cha Cha Cha, Rory failed to make a good impression with the Strictly judges, and was told by Italian firebrand Bruno Tonioli that he looked like a ‘cocky rooster chasing a hen around the yard. Strictly stalwart Len Goodman described Bruno as being ‘like the government – there’s a lot going on and not all of it is good’. Ooh, political!

Although Nancy and Anton received less votes than Rory and Erin, coming away with the lowest score of the night with only 18 points, the public seem to have warmed to the Italian siren (as Nancy describes herself) and kept her and Anton in to dance another day. Those looking for Strictly Come Dancing tips won’t be expecting them to hang round though.

So it’s goodbye, so long, auf wiedersehen and farewell to Rory and Erin, who leave this year’s Strictly Come Dancing with eleven remaining couples. Next week the remaining celebrity contestants, who include Jason Donovan; Holly Valance; Harry Judd; Chelsee Healey; Alex Jones; Audley Harrison; Lulu; Russell Grant; Robbie Savage; and of course Nancy Dell’Olio, will perform Halloween-themed routines.

Who will cast a spell on the Strictly judges and the voting public next week, and who will face the curse of the low scores? It should be a magical evening of entertainment all round, and we will be watching entranced as always.