Strictly Come Dancing: week four results – as it happened

Thanks as always for watching along with me, sparkly squadron. Our dancefloor dozen now progress to next Saturday’s Icons Week for dances inspired by musical legends. And Usher. This year’s P!nk, anyone?

It airs at next Saturday at 6.20pm on BBC1. Meet you back here to debate the precise definition of “legend”. In the meantime, you know full well what I’m going to say: keeeeeeep dancing! Goodnight.

A swift straw poll of your comments. TiggyStardust says: “I’m gutted for Balvinder. Personally I thought that split vote was staged (maybe as a little boost for Chris and/or to inject a note of drama). I think if Craig hadn’t been given the casting vote, it wouldn’t have gone 2:2.”

shazza 2704 says “If there is no George, Freddie or Bowie in Icons Week, you can stick it up your Samba”

MikeMoonlight adds “I think we can all agree that it’s high time the lovely Nadiya had a decent partner. So considering that I’m about 6 ft 2in, I’m prepared to do the honourable thing and take one for the team by offering my services as her partner next year. Yes, I know, it’s a dirty job but someone has to do it.”

TV viewers can now flip to Channel 4 for Educating Yorkshire or National Geographic for Lost Treasures Of Egypt. At 8.45pm, there’s A Choral Pilgrimage with The Sixteen on BBC4.

At 9pm, choose from Riot Women on BBC1 or the Frauds finale on ITV1. At 10.20pm, Star Trek prequel Strange New Worlds gets its terrestrial debut on ITV1.

Tonight’s film picks are Shaun Of The Dead (9pm on ITV4), And Then There Were None (9.45pm on Talking Pictures) and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (10.45pm on BBC2). Let’s go to the Winchester, have a nice cool pint and wait for this all to blow over. How’s that for a slice of fried gold?

If it hadn’t been Craig Revel Horwood’s turn to wield the casting vote, it would likely have been a different result. Shirley Ballas and Anton du Beke both voted to keep Chris Robshaw in the competition, which would have been an injustice. True, both gave Chris and Balvinder Sopal the same score on Saturday night. But did Chris really improve enough in the dance-off to deserve to stay?

Balvinder’s atmospheric paso doble was far more accomplished than his stompy salsa. Overall this series, she averages 25 points to his 19. One wonders if they were voting on lifts, effort, personal preference or some other strange logic. The contest’s quality would undoubtedly dip if Balvinder departed and Chris stayed.

Luckily, sanity prevailed, thanks to Motsi Mabuse’s vote and Craig’s casting one. It sometimes feels like he’s the only judge who votes with his head, not his heart. Craig must be protected at all costs.

You have to feel some sympathy for Ukrainian pro Nadiya Bychkova. She made the quarter-final with Davood Ghadami in her debut series back in 2017 and again four years later with Dan Walker. Apart from those high points, she’s been benched twice and been knocked out before Halloween five times.

Due to her height, she’s often paired with strapping sportsmen – see David James, Tom Dean and now Chris – who struggle with the performance side. Yet Nadiya has shown that she’s a great dancer and a good teacher. She’ll be secretly hoping she isn’t lumbered with another retired jock next year.

Drag queen La Voix, aka Christopher Dennis, last night registered Strictly’s lowest ever week four score with just 14 points - including a damning two from head judge Shirley Ballas. Her cha cha cha was an utter mess of random concept, ill-suited song, godawful costumes and dodgy dancing. Cut adrift by 10 points at the bottom of the scoreboard, La Voix must have got serious public backing to lift her clear of the dance-off. She seemed as surprised as anyone.

She’s clearly popular with her castmates, who rushed to give her consolation group hugs, as well as voting viewers. However, she needs to regain form fast or she’ll soon be sashaying away. La Voix now has the lowest average score of any surviving celebrity, slipping below Stefan Dennis.

Her pro partner Aljaž Škorjanec needs to pull something much better out of his ballroom bag next week, concentrating on steps rather than quips. Luckily, the Icons Week theme should suit the Drag Race UK runner-up.

We’ve lost our third male celebrity in a row but it was the right result. Despite coming agonisingly close to an unlikely dance-off victory, former England rugby union captain Chris Robshaw was sent to the Strictly sin bin. His four-week stay was a plucky one. He was one of the few celebrities to improve his score every week and can leave with his head held high, having notched a personal best with 24 points and being fulsomely praised by the judges for his scarlet-clad salsa. Well, the lifts in it, anyway.

Robshaw was never the most graceful player on the rugby pitch – more of a mauler than a mover – and was well out of his comfort zone on the dancefloor but he formed a close bond with proud partner Nadiya Bychkova. As a self-styled “dad dancer”, he had to overcome poor posture, nerves and shyness to perform. Despite making those spectacular lifts look effortless, he was never going to become the second consecutive Chris to win (after Mr McCausland). Still, he won new fans and can now attend his mum’s zumba class with new-found confidence.

Meanwhile, his sport’s barren run continues. Robshaw was the ninth rugby player to sign up for Strictly but none has ever lifted the glitterball trophy. Maybe if it was egg-shaped rather than spherical, they’d fare better?

Why isn’t EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal connecting with voting viewers? She looked gutted to have been consigned to her second successive dance-off. Last week, she was fifth from bottom on the scoreboard. This time she was one place higher but somehow tumbled into the bottom two again.

Her fiery, flamenco-flavoured paso doble got a clean sweep of sevens from the judges. There was surely no way it merited a spot in the dance-off, let alone surviving by a split decision. Balvinder is a superior dancer to several of her castmates – La Voix and Stefan Dennis, to name but two – so it would be a great shame if she left too soon. Let’s hope this doesn’t knock her confidence and she comes out fighting like Suki Panesar next time.

As the eliminated pair take a final trip around the ballroom to Don’t You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds – serious Breakfast Club vibes – the credits roll and their castmates crowd in for a scrummage of cuddles.

Please stay with us for analysis and reaction.

His pro partner Nadiya Bychkova says: “Chris, I have had a few wonderful weeks with you and saw all the qualities that made you the captain of your country. To watch you go from a non-dancer and non-performer to blossom, improve and develop. On Friday night, when we were rehearsing, you told me that you couldn’t wait to perform on Saturday and that’s the best confirmation that you have got that feeling and love for dance. That means the world. Sometimes on this show you win by getting a glitterball but I feel this year I won just getting you as my partner. ”

Aww, sweetly said.

In his exit interview, Chris Robshaw tells Tess: “I’ve loved it. I’ve had an amazing partner. For me, coming into this journey, I had no confidence. To be told I had world class qualities on the dancefloor, even though we have to go home, that’s amazing to hear, so thank you very much. It’s given me such confidence. To my partner Nadiya, I’m sorry. But it’s been an amazing journey, she’s been a brilliant teacher, I’ve developed so much, and it’s been a great ride.” Well said, sir.

The former England rugby union captain becomes the third celebrity to depart the Strictly 2025 dancefloor.

The sultan of swivel chooses to save Balvinder and Julian, saying “there wasn’t much basic salsa from Chris. Balvinder made mistakes but had better quality and technical ability”.

Chris and Nadiya, saying “stronger execution”.

Chris and Nadiya, saying “for degree of difficulty and stronger performance”. It’s a split decision for the first time this series.

Balvinder and Julian, saying “they were different level”.

Over to the paddle-raising panel. Craig scored Balvinder three points higher than Chris last night, Motsi one point more but Anton and Shirley gave them both sevens.

Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova reprise their salsa to María by Ricky Martin. The judges said last night that it lacked rotation but featured world championship-standard lifts.

It notched 24 points, four fewer than Team Ballion, so he needs to raise the level to close the gap.

Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon have another go at their paso doble to Diablo Rojo by Rodrigo y Gabriel. The judges said last night that it was committed, intense and atmospheric, with strong skirt-work but lacking the odd detail.

It scored 28 points, four more than Chris so you’d think she just needs to maintain last night’s standard.

Balvinder and her pro partner Julian Caillon must dance for survival for the second week running. I’m surprised and not a little disappointed by that.

Chris Robshaw and his pro partner Nadiya Bychkova are consigned to the dreaded dance-off, as they were a fortnight ago.

The fab-u-lous four decamp to the Clauditorium for a closer look at last night’s routines. They praise Alex Kingston’s rumba leg action and Stefan Dennis’ Charleston. Well, to an extent.

She steps down from the stage to bust a move alongside the pros. You don’t get that from Sir Rod Stewart.

Musical interlude now from Little Mix alumna Leigh-Anne Pinnock, performing this summer’s single Been a Minute.

Choreographic accompaniment comes from the benched pros: Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk, Nancy Xu, Jowita Przystał, Gorka Marquez and Neil Jones. Who seem to dressed as Christmas elves, for some inexplicable reason.

Vicky Pattison is dancing as her fellow Geordie next week. Her partner Kai Widdrington does a decent Anton Du Beke impression. Marvellous sarm-ba, my love.

Meanwhile, Nitro is being Usher next week for his Argentine tango – and it’s a whopping 13 years since his partner Karen Hauer got to do one.

He’ll be the quickstepping Man In Black next week. Let’s hope he doesn’t have a burning ring of fire.

Not a euphemism. Or Claudia would we well jeal. Karen will be doing a Celine Dion rumba next week.

The hiss-boo panto villain has been waiting 20 years for this. Hey, maybe he’ll send three couples home.

So are Vicky Pattison, Karen Carney and Nitro off of Gladiators.

Now to find out who else will be getting their Icon on next week – and who might be missing out.

A shiny new group number from the pros now. It’s a fierce, sharply styled modern take on the tango with elements of Argentine and contemporary, set on a stock exchange trading floor.

Lots of jumping off desks. Jacket-ography. Power suits and power games. Is your interest rising?

Up in the Clauditorium with the couples who are safely through to next week, La Voix expresses her surprise and gratitude for the viewer votes. She’s going to be channelling Cher next week.

A trailer now for Icons Week, with each celeb lip-syncing to a quote from the musical icon they’ll be performing as next Saturday. It’s like a fun pop quiz!

Cue excited squeals. Also returning to the ballroom are Alex Kingston, Stefan Dennis (mild surprise?), George Clarke and La Voix. Big surprise!

Stand by, the red spotlight of dramatic tension is about to be switched on. Whose ballroom adventure ends tonight?

Our couples await their fates. Stefan Dennis’ spivvy moustache and various bulging pectorals are still present and correct.

A reminder of Saturday night’s action on-screen now. Tens for Alex Kingston’s silky leg action! Consolation hugs for La Voix! Congratulatory ones for Ellie Goldstein!

Here comes our two-headed hosting hydra, so a quick frockular face-off. Tess Daly is in a strappy black velvet frock with floral straps. Claudia Winkleman in a chic tux. Claud wins, making it a clean sweep for La Winkle this weekend.

Who is about to join Tommy Bosh-Breakfast and Ross King on the rejects pile?

Cue a backstage recap of last night’s action.

Musical guest tonight is Leigh-Anne Pinnock. Remember when X Factor judge Tulisa used to call the girl group “my little muffins”? Innocent days.

Five minutes now until spangly showtime…

Last night saw another maximum after Movie Week’s 10 from Motsi for Lewis Cope’s paso doble. This one was raised by the head judge – never too early for a 10 from Shirley – for Alex Kingston’s rumba, followed by a kiss of approval from the Queen Of Latin.

Talking of 10s, that’s how many minutes are left to wait…

The panel are taking it in turns this year to cast the deciding dance-off vote. It was announced on last night’s live show that this week, the honour goes to Craig Revel Horwood At least we can rely on him to use it wisely.

It’s 15 minutes until the sparkly curtain comes up…

Tonight’s number from the Strictly professional troupe is a business-themed group tango. Think The Apprentice with Lord Sugar and Baroness Brady in close hold. Enduring image.

Twenty minutes until we’re back in the ballroom…

Coming into this weekend, bookmakers’ tips for elimination were Stefan Dennis and Chris Robshaw. The latter was left second from bottom of the scoreboard again, so could be in trouble.

However, the Neighbours actor bounced back from illness with a cheeky Charleston which notched his best score yet. But will that be backed up by viewer votes? It’s 25 minutes until glitter o’clock…

Someone will miss out on Icons Week and the Halloween Spooktacular. Good evening and welcome to the third elimination of Strictly Come Dancing 2025. I’m Michael, your sequins-and-Spanx correspondent for tonight’s results show. You are cordially invited to watch along with me as another couple bite the ballroom dust.

Following last night’s high-standard hoofing, our 13 pro-celebrity pairings are about to become a dancefloor dozen. The judges’ scores have been combined with the public vote. Now the bottom two will dance one more time in their bid for survival. So who’s at risk of hoofing heartbreak?

La Voix was left propping up standings, cut adrift by 10 points after a cha-cha dis-ah-ster, with Chris Robshaw second from bottom. But will voting viewers agree? If not, the likes of Stefan Dennis, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey or even Karen Carney could be in for a nervy night.

At the other end of the leaderboard, Alex Kingston notched a perfect 10 for her rumba and totalled 36 points, the second highest score of the series. A moment matched for excitement only by Claudia Winkleman and Dave Arch’s Coldplay kiss-cam spoof.

It’s results showtime at 7.15pm on BBC One. I’ll be liveblogging from 6.45pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, analysis, reaction and lightly spiced lolz. So snuggle down on this damp autumnal evening and see you on the sofa.

As always, I’d love to hear from you too. You can tweet me @michaelhogan, contact me on Bluesky or Threads @michaelhogan100, email me michael.hogan.freelance@guardian.co.uk and the comments section below is back open for for dance discussion. I’ll kick and flick down there whenever I can to gauge your reactions and quote your wisest, wittiest words.

The number 13 is about to prove unlucky for somebody. Nearly time to staaaaaart eliminating!

That concludes Saturday’s twinkle-toed liveblog but we’ll be back in ballroom hold tomorrow. The results show airs at 7.15pm Sunday on BBC1. I’ll reboot the blog at 6.45pm for build-up, so I hope you’ll rejoin me then. In the meantime, I’m @michaelhogan on Twitter (we still don’t call it X, right?), so please do samba-bounce over and say hi.

Thanks for watching along with me and your excellent company as always. Meet you here for the third elimination tomorrow. Predictions welcome. I’d hazard a guess at a La Voix vs Chris Robshaw dance-off with La Voix to go. But this is Strictly, darling, so anything goes.

In the meantime, you know what to do: keeeeeep dancing! Take care, my Tumnus-trousered favourites.

Time to take the temperature of your comments. On Karen Carney’s quickstep, jagadox says “Carlos seems another pro who has been finding his feet and that quickstep was bright, breezy and bouncy.”

Bianco says: “Great song, amazing dress and she seemed to have a good time! A lovely start to the evening!”

girlpanic says: “Fab-u-lous from Karen & Carlos. Her feet were great and she seemed to really enjoy it. Her upper body could be more elegant but I loved it overall.”

ReclinedPotato adds “Oh, Karen is ever so slightly maniacal when she dances and I absolutely love it. Talk about going glitterballs deep!”

They’re the most coveted made-up awards this side of a Scottish castle where the corridors smell faintly of Celia Imrie’s farts. Here are this week’s gong-grabbers…

Best dance: Alex Kingston’s rumba, say the judges. Ellie Goldstein’s showstopper, say I.

Worst dance: La Voix’s cha cha travesty by a long chalk.

Best music choice: Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car. Also loved Nat King Cole and Dance Monkey.

Worst music choice: La Voix’s uneasy combo of music, concept and styling did her no favours at all.

Best outfit: A tie between Karen Carney and Alexis Warr’s gowns.

Worst outfit: La Voix as Tina Turner-meets-Rocky. Why oh why? Vicky’s Mr Tumnus trews in second place.

Best VT: Ellie Goldstein’s proud mum. Something in my eye.

Worst VT: Balvinder taking Julian for a curry, merely because it made me hungry.

Best judges’ comment: “I heard somebody scream, then I realised it was me” – Anton on Harry’s rumba.

Best Claudia quip: That kisscam spoof with her beloved Dave Arch. Be still, my beating satire.

You can now flip to BBC2 for 40 Hits Of 1975 at the BBC or to ITV1 for The 1% Club. At 9.20pm, fun plane crash thriller Nine Bodies In A Mexican Morgue continues on BBC1. At 9.45pm, French domestic noir The Intruder climaxes with a double bill on BBC4.

Tonight’s film picks are The Menu (9pm on Channel 4), Bone Tomahawk (11.05pm on Film4) or As Good As It Gets (11.25pm on Comedy Central). Good times, noodle salad.

Alex Kingston tops the standings, with Lewis Cope in second spot. La Voix is cut adrift way down at the foot of the scoreboard, 10 points below the rest, with Chris Robshaw second from bottom.

As always, though, the viewer vote helps decide which two couples are consigned to tomorrow night’s dance-off. It could be a nervy wait for Stefan Dennis, too.

“Keeeeeep dancing,” trill Tess and Claud, snuggling in. As the sparkly dust settles, please stay with us for analysis, reaction and a round-up of your comments.

Craig gets the honour tomorrow. “About time, darling,” he says. All a bit underwhelming unless it has to be used.

Cue prop-waving pandemonium. Hen party stetsons must be on special offer.

Pro Vito Coppola says this number is simply a celebration of Ellie Goldstein herself and her groundbreaking, expectation-defying life so far. She’s looking even more sparkly than usual in a gold fringed dress with hot pants and metallic trainers. Powerful shapes and strong streetdance moves. Quirky, happy and full of energy. Jumping around, bouncy as a bunny. Lit up the ballroom and our living rooms. Solo twerking section and a spinning lift. A moment.

Song: Golden by HUNTR/X. The second week in a row that we’ve had a song from K-Pop Demon Hunters. Is Dave Arch on commission?

Late arrival Amber Davies and her pro partner Nikita Kuzmin get the honour of dancing the first Argentine of the series. Nikita’s last one was with Layton Williams two years ago and scored 39 points, then a perfect 40 in the final. No pressure. They’ve been training long hours to do it justice. Fast, detailed, intense and packed with steps. Powerful, poised and passionate with close body contact. Intricate kicks and flicks. Connection, chemistry and serious sizzle. She was worried about the lifts but it doesn’t show. Damn, that was good.

Song: Angel of My Dreams by JADE. The Little Mixer’s debut solo single samples the 1967 Eurovision-winning Puppet On A String by barefoot Sandie Shaw. Douze points!

Rugby player Chris Robshaw and his pro partner Nadiya Bychkova were delighted to dodge the dance-off with last week’s Thor-themed paso doble but he’s one of the hot tips to depart this week. Can they shake and shimmy out of danger? He’s well out of his comfort zone, bless him, but needs to unleash his hips. He’s been channelling “El Christof” in training to embrace his Latin side. Lacking spice and sauce, a bit slow, stiff and static in places, but scarlet-clad fun with strong, spectacular lifts.

Song: María by Ricky Martin. This 1995 flamenco number was the Puerto Rican singer’s first international hit, four years before he went stratospheric with Livin’ la Vida Loca.

The second of two rumbas tonight is from actor Alex Kingston and her pro partner Johannes Radebe. They’ve promised a tender and sensitive take, rather than anything too sexual *purses lips, hitches bosom*. Intensity but occasionally unsteady for me. Dips, drops and drags. Sweeping legs and smooth transitions between movements. Alex said this week that the rumba was her favourite dance so far and that was lovely, leggy storytelling.

Song: Fast Car by Tracy Chapman. Her Grammy-winning 1988 debut single about a working woman trying to escape the cycle of poverty. The original version of Dreams by Gabrielle was based around a sample from Fast Car but it couldn’t be cleared, so was removed from the final song. You can imagine it, though, right?

EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal and new Australian pro Julian Caillon – aka “Team Ballion” – survived last week’s dance-off last week but have the ideal dance with which to come out fighting. A traditional paso with bold modern flourishes. Passionate, fiery, flamenco-flavoured and full of intent. Shirley was harsh on Balvinder’s technique and footwork last week, so Julian has been drilling her hard. Skirt-swishing, strong shapes. Lacking a little curve and finished lines but hot as hell. Olé!

Song: Diablo Rojo by Rodrigo y Gabriela. The Mexican guitar duo have soundtracked plenty of previous Strictly pasos, including those by Tilly Ramsay, Greg Rutherford, Mike Bushell and Helen Skelton.

Drag queen La Voix showed her serious side last week with a lovely, slow Mary Poppins waltz. Now she’s unleashing her performance skills and bringing the party again with Aljaž Škorjanec. A cha-cha with a clunky, gimmicky boxing theme, married with 80s disco glamour. Channelling Tina Turner. Copious footwork and changes of rhythm. Is she nailing that Cuban leg action? Not fast or flirty enough for me. Beyond Thunderdome but not great for me.

Song: Hit Me With Your Best Shot by Pat Benatar. This 1980 power-pop anthem is a big crowd favourite at US sporting events and was covered by Kelly “no relation to Jeremy” Clarkson.

Excellent kiss-cam gag from Claudia and Dave Arch. Anyway, from last week’s streetdance-style Couple’s Choice to a ballroom number. George Clarke needs to take charge and lead his pro partner Alexis Warr. Throne-ography to start, then into close hold, travelling flat across the floor. Sharp turns and swivels. Clipped, staccato movements. Perhaps a little lacking in passion and footwork got away from him at times but imperious, sharp, full of wow factor and drama. Strong finish. Catch that on kisscam.

Song: Viva La Vida by Coldplay. The 2008 orchestral rock anthem’s Spanish title is taken from a Frida Kahlo painting. It’s been covered by Solange Knowles, Lady Gaga, Weezer, One Direction and Blackpink – and now Sir David Of Arch.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink goes back to his roots and throws a freestyle Caribbean party with partner Lauren Oakley. This number is dedicated to his grandparents, set to the music they loved, and his late mother. Plenty of attitude and swagger, full of tropical flavour. Rhythm, hips, groove and lifts. Jumping around joyously when it changes pace at the midway mark. I look forward to the judges trying to critique and score this but it’s irresistible fun. Floor slide and finger points to finish. “I love Soca,” indeed.

Song: Soca Medley. Short for “soul of calypso”, the genre originated in Trinidad and Tobago during the 1970s.

Actor Lewis Cope notched the first perfect 10 of the series for last week’s Zorro paso doble. It was pro partner Katya Jones’ first maximum for eight years, surprisingly. Now he’s back to ballroom. The pressure is on because his lowest score so far was for a Viennese waltz. Lewis needs to show improvement with his feet, frame and leading. Ladder-ography to start. Wind machine in operation. Effortless feel and buttery flow around the floor. Slow, stylish, retro and refined. Jazzy and romantic with a lovely Hollywood feel. A rung above the rest so far.

Song: L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole. The 1964 jazz-swing classic was covered by Joss Stone to soundtrack a Noughties ad for Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle fragrance, starring Keira Knightley.

Stefan Dennis is back after his week off with vertigo but can’t ease himself back in. He’s not only tackling the demanding Charleston but he’s bookies’ favourite to go home this weekend. Straight in at the deep end. Table-ography to start and takes too long to get going. Bench-ography stolen from Bill Bailey. Lindyhop style and bags of character, telling a Bonnie & Clyde-style bank robber story. But how about that all-important bounce and swivel? Partner Dianne Buswell having a ball. Cartwheels, lifts, floor slides. A little slow but quirky and well-performed.

Song: Dance Monkey by Tones and I. Another Australian artist for the all-Aussie couple. This record-breaking 2019 electro-pop hit topped the Australian singles chart for six months and the UK chart for 11 weeks. Blimey.

The Geordie lass’s confidence is gradually growing and so are her scores, which have been creeping up by one point each week. Getting into the groove now with a Rio carnival dance. Solo section in Mr Tumnus trousers to start. Rhythmical with fluid hip movements. Supple and synchronised with natural bounce action. Body rolls and ripples. Lacking a little musicality and off the beat in patches, bless her, but much better in the side-by-side sections. Did well with a tough routine.

Song: La Isla Bonita by Madonna. The 1987 Latin pop hit was rejected by Michael Jackson before Madge picked up the track and added her own lyrics. Altogether now: “Young girl with eyes like potatoes…”

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro from Gladiators, and partner Karen Hauer notched their highest score with last week’s pec-tacular Lion King salsa. The only slow Latin dance might be more of a challenge. It’s notoriously tricky for celebrity males but Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink did a decent one last week. Harry needs to put his power and energy aside to tap into his musicality. Blue lighting. Pecs and six-pack out again. Sensual, rhythmic and romantic but not enough sizzle. Oozing and undulating. Lacking a little control at times and too stop-start, needing more continuous flow rather than pose-striking. Harry seems a little too upright to me, should be more earthy.

Song: It Must Have Been Love by Roxette. The power ballad (just belted out karaoke-style by the judges) memorably soundtracked the climactic scene of Richard Gere/Julia Roberts romcom Pretty Woman. Big mistake. Huge.

They seem to have retired the surprise Clauditorium guests and the woman herself reads out the voting Ts & Cs. Online-only, remember. Don’t come around here with your old-fashioned “phone vote”, you dance dinosaurs.

Former Lioness Karen Carney has dipped in the past two weeks and been nervous about going back to ballroom. The judges told her that she’s power-packed but needs refinement and finesse, so let’s see if she and partner Carlos Gu has taken note. She needs to nail the details, show quality and be “Karen Classy”. Swingtime storytelling, then into hold. Fast, frothy, smooth and elegant. Bright and light on her feet as she flies around the floor but the odd heavy, hesitant step. Bouncy Charleston steps. Bags of fun, classic styling and a floor spin to finish.

Song: Marvellous Party by Beverley Knight. The soul diva’s interpretation of the Noël Coward standard originally featured on the soundtrack to ITV wartime hotel drama The Halcyon. Remember that?

First sighting of our couples as they come out for a welcome wave. Outfits are pleasingly restrained compared to last week’s Movie Week fancy dress. Harry Aikines-Aryeetey has put his shirt back on but forgotten to button it up. Chris Robshaw has removed his Thor wig. La Voix in some sort of novelty boxing rig-out.

Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas make their big entrance. Synchronised sit-down as per.

Our presentational pair arrive, so time for our weekly couture comparison. Tess Daly is in one-shouldered trouser suit. Claudia Winkleman is in a white tuxedo. La Winkle wins.

Two males have left so far, with Tom Skinner and Ross King becoming the first two celebrities to depart the dancefloor. Who’s next for the choreographic chop?

Roll the industry standard scene-setting, tension-building montage.

Stats say that the paso doble has led to the most week four eliminations in Strictly history. And tonight, dance-off survivor Balvinder Sopal is tackling it. An ominous sign?

Just five minutes until the glittery gong strikes…

An eclectic menu this week with 11 different dance styles. The only overlaps are a pair of rumbas and a couple of, er, Couple’s Choices. Heaven help us.

A mere 10 minutes to wait now…

The couples are bidding to get through to Strictly’s second ever Icons Week next Saturday, with dances inspired by musical legends. Last year it happened in week seven and involved Chris McCausland in KISS make-up, Sarah Hadland in a Madonna cone bra and Shayne Ward dressed as a Beatle. Halycon days.

Fifteen minutes until the glittery curtain comes up….

Tick them off with a flourish when you spot them on-screen! Take a drink for each! End up asleep with a half-eaten kebab on your face! Here’s tonight’s 10-point spotter’s checklist:

• Misty-eyed reference to Cynthia Erivo’s guest judging turn last week

• Tess Daly exclaims “They’re on their feet!”, even though we can clearly see that everyone is on their feet

• Celebrity’s family member in the front row glances up at the monitor, then gives a sheepish wave

• Anton says “That was the sort of routine I’d have loved to dance”

• After last week’s nines and 10s, the judges clamp down and get stingy with their scores

• Motsi Mabuse looking fabulous in a wig and sculptural frock

• A mention of Icons Week is followed by “ooooh!”

• Anton stands up and borrows Dame Shirley to demonstrate the finer points of ballroom hold

• Main character energy from Ginger Neil in the Clauditorium

• Judge says “It’s week four now, so we’re looking for footwork, technique and details”

Will we lose another male celebrity this weekend? Well, Chris Robshaw and Stefan Dennis are bookies’ strong favourites for the chop. Next in the betting are Balvinder Sopal and La Voix.

Twenty minutes until we get our first choreographic clues…

Paul Robinson off of Neighbours had “a bit of a turn” and suffered vertigo last week but is now fully recovered and will return to the dancefloor tonight. Good news all round. After two injury withdrawals before the series even started, nobody wanted a dropout due to illness.

It’s 25 minutes until spraytan-and-Spanx time…

The fancy dress has been packed away. Now it’s all about the footwork. Yes, the credits have rolled on Movie Week and there are no more novelty costumes for our couples to hide behind.

Good evening and welcome to the latest live weekend of Strictly Come Dancing 2025. I’m Michael, your virtual dance partner for tonight’s mercifully non-themed show. You are warmly invited to watch along with me as our 13 surviving pro-celebrity pairs hit the Elstree dancefloor once again.

After last week’s cinematic silliness saw the first nines and 10s of the series, while Ross King joined Thomas Skinner on the sparkly scrapheap, our unlucky 13 will become a dancefloor dozen. Tonight’s scores will be combined with the public vote and the bottom two duos will hoof for survival on Sunday night.

Stefan “Sicknote” Dennis is back after getting a bye through to this week but will it prove a short-lived stay? Everyone is tipping him and Chris Robshaw for the dance-off.

It’s showtime at 6.30pm on BBC One. I’ll be liveblogging from 6pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, analysis, reaction, ballroom backchat and Latin lip. So pop on the central heating (treat yourself, it’s autumn) and I’ll see you on the sofa.

As always, I’d love to hear from you too. You can tweet me @michaelhogan, contact me on Bluesky or Threads @michaelhogan100, email me michael.hogan.freelance@guardian.co.uk and the comments section below is back open for ballroom business. I’ll shoulder-shimmy down there every now and again to gauge your reaction and report on your choice comments. So please don’t be shy about sharing your thoughts.

It’s week four on the teak floor. Nearly time to staaaart dancing!