Strictly Come Dancing 2015: Peter Andre's best bits plus Anita and Gleb's 'intense' relationship

Peter and Janette's best bits

Peter the popstar and Janette the pocket rocket: their Strictly story was just the 'Sweetest Feeling'...

Anita her chemistry with partner Gleb Savchenko

Temptation comes in many forms. Very occasionally, it arrives in the shape of a handsome Russian dancer tearing off his shirt to reveal a rather well-toned torso. Such is the risk married celebrities take, at any rate, when they sign up to Strictly Come Dancing - the BBC talent show that gave birth to its own “curse”, owing to the relationship-jeopardising bonds formed between professionals and lay contestants.

So Anita Rani is doing well on two counts. Despite being one of the few competing celebrities with no professional dance training, she has made it to the final seven. Since judge Darcey Bussell brandished a perfect 10 in her direction, she’s even being talked of as a late runner to win. And despite the good looks of her dance partner, Gleb Savchenko, and his shirt-ripping antics, she has kept her husband safe from the green-eyed monster.

“Every so often I’ll catch myself going, ‘Oh God. And he’ll take his top off and his physique is insane,” she says of Savchenko. “It’s a really intense relationship, unlike any other in my life at the moment, because I’m spending so much time with him. And he’s in control, he’s teaching me how to dance. I’m experiencing emotions I’ve never experienced before, at the age of 38, being broken down and taught to do something from scratch that I find really difficult but want to do well.”

Read on in our interview with Anita...

Highlights

Peter Andre has become the ninth celebrity to be voted off. All four judges chose to save EastEnders actress Kellie Bright in the dance-off. The pop star said: “It’s been nothing but joy and we have come so far. Like I said before there is no shame in leaving, we are so grateful. I love everybody. Thank you.”

Peter Andre’s demise wasn’t mysterious, girl

Fix Gate certainly didn’t help Peter Andre’s chances in Strictly. To mitigate Jamelia’s claims of favouritism towards Peter, the judges came down hard on his American Smooth. More importantly, voters have lost faith in Peter, as the original frontrunner displayed an inability to make the transition from Jacko’s strutting style to an Astaire-like glide when required. Peter’s booting off is a stark reminder that on Strictly, it really is about the dancing.

Bright is Strictly’s Cinderella

Kellie Bright is an excellent dancer and very likeable, too. Yet she has found herself in the dance-off doldrums twice now. We hold Costume partly responsible. While Anita is swathed in sexy white chiffon and Katie given an Audrey Hepburn makeover, Kellie has consistently been dressed in cast-offs from an Albert Square market stall, her hair scraped into a Croydon facelift. In a show about the romance of dance, Kellie's frock horrors can't have helped.

Tweak that!

Responding to Fix Gate, the Beeb decided the judges must now justify their reasons for choosing which contestant to save after the dance off, to make doubly sure the audience knows it’s not because the producers applied the thumbscrews. Actually, their comments were insightful, so it’s a welcome format tweak.

Hasta la vista, Ola

Ola Jordan’s recent spiky contributions to FixGate – claiming dancers are over- and undermarked to keep them in the contest – has apparently seen her sashay over a line in the sand. Though Ola already announced she was quitting at the end of the series, she was nowhere to be seen this weekend in the group dances – we spotted a replacement – or on the balcony. If BBC bosses have sent her packing early, Ola went out with a whimper. After almost a decade on the nation's favourite dance contest, that’s quite sad.

11 things we learned from Saturday's show

1. Helen storms back to the top

She had a shaky week in Blackpool - perhaps the sea air doesn't suit her porcelain complexion - but actress Helen George was back with a vengeance. This was undoubtedly her night. She and partner Alijaz Skorjanec were just one point off a perfect 40 with their Viennese Waltz, then secured top slot with victory in the Quickstep-a-thon. When she needed it, the midwife delivered.

2. Jamelia wreaks revenge on Peter Andre

Many thought that popstrel turned Loose Women panellist Jamelia was unjustly knocked out last weekend but by dropping hints about favouritism towards her opponent Peter Andre, she might just have got him back. He was poor tonight and the judges didn't stint on the criticism. After finishing joint bottom with his lumpy American Smooth, Peter also came last in the quickstep-athon. Surely the dreaded dance-off beckons again? If so, he deserves to go.

3. Quickstep-a-thon was a confuse-athon

Was it just me who found the climactic round befuddling? The couples were hard to tell apart due to their matching outfits and the camerawork didn't help. We saw too much of some couples and barely glimpsed others. The judges stood around awkwardly making their decision and the hosts weren't quite sure what to do. It all lacked Strictly's usual slickness and ended proceedings on a shambolic note.

4. Len on the defensive

Head judge Len Goodman came in for some flak this week over Jamelia Danceoffgate, forced to go on sister show It Takes Two and give press interviews justifying the result. Perhaps it got to him because the old stager was on particularly spiky form tonight, arguing with the studio audience at every opportunity. Craig Revel Horwood looked positively saintly in comparison. Well, apart from...

5. Craig Revel Bumfluff

Forget mere fripperies like the dancing. One of the major talking points tonight was judge Craig Revel Horwood''s facial hair. He was sporting a sort of ghost goateee, just whiskery enough to be distracting. Craig's always been the dame of the panel and is clearly in rehearsal for a real pantomime.

6. Anton's Argentine debut decent but doesn't wow - and was he caught behaving unprofessionally towards Peter Andre?

He rarely gets to this stage of the contest, so long-suffering pro Anton Du Beke had never got to perform an Argentine Tango on Strictly before. So it was the first time for both him and partner Katie Derham tonight. A very respectable effort but still left them third bottom of the scores and in possible dance-off danger tomorrow. Elsewhere on the show, several disappointed viewers took to Twitter when they thought they caught Anton mouthing "awful" to Katie after Peter Andre's dance. It seems unlikely for that to have come from Anton, he's usually a dependably well-mannered good sport.

7. Anita falls from second top to second bottom

After her rumba was harshly marked and she finished mid-table in the quickstep-athon, Anita Rani is left in the bottom two on the scoreboard with Peter Andre. But will her popularity with viewers pull her clear of dance-off danger? She deserves it. Kellie Bright or Katie Derham, both narrowly above Anita, would be more worthy bottom two-ers tomorrow.

8. Leaderboard for your perusal

They never flash it up on-screen for quite long enough, do they? Luckily, your friendly local neighbourhood liveblog is here to help.

9. Jay rises as Georgia falls

The two bookies' favourites enjoyed mixed fortunes tonight. Jay McGuinness' tango was his highest-scoring dance yet, pipping THAT jive by a point and taking him to second in the standings behind Helen George. Meanwhile, his arch rival Georgia May Foote's paso doble saw her drop several places. It just goes to show the tight nature of this year's contest, with the lead frequently changing hands and the final seven hard to separate.

10. Blackpool hangover lingered...

Strictly's annual jaunt up the M6 to the Tower Ballroom is always a highlight of each series, but the buckets and spades had been packed away - and everyone had recovered from partying until 4am at Flamingo's nightclub - so we were back in the usual Elstree Studios ballroom. Yet rather than a triumphant homecoming, it was more of a holding pattern, The show felt a tad flat tonight: the judges were on the defensive, routines erred on the safe side and, Jay and Helen aside, scores and standard dipped.

11. ...But at least there was the Clauditorium

During a middling show, Claudia Winkleman can be relied upon to pep up proceedings with some smart quips and gratuitous balcony silliness. So it proved again tonight, from getting everyone to read out the phoneline smallprint at the start of the show to jollying the judges along during their Quickstep-a-thon deliberations: "I don't want to rush you love, but we are live." Gawd love La Winkle.

Saturday night's dances

Quickstep-a-thon confirms what we know

Well, well. Helen George and Alijaz were top of the scoreboard after their first routine, then won the Quickstep-a-thon to secure their position. Peter Andre came last, leaving him rock bottom of the standings.

The quickstep-athon is go

Time for the extra challenge facing the contestants this week: expect bruised elbows as the seven remaining couples compete in a quickstep marathon. All seven couples take to the floor with their pro partners at the same time, performing the quickstep around the ballroom. They need to stay in hold throughout, no lifts allowed, floorcraft and footwork being crucial. Kellie and Kevin looking good, as you'd expect from the pair who performed a quickstep last weekend. Hard to tell who's who with the camerawork and all the men in matching outfits but Jay and Aliona are going for it with the spins. Peter and Janette not so good.

Georgia and Giovanni's Paso Doble

Saving the best until last? Seventh and final pair out tonight are the current in-form couple.

Music: Europe’s The Final Countdown
Judges' scores: 8, 8, 8, 9 for a total of 33 points - halfway up the scoreboard.
Judges' comments: "Dynamic and fantastic but tense in the shoulders", says Craig. "Hard in the shoulders, soft in the arms but fabulous energy,: says Darcey. "Brave to start off solo, too much dress-wafting and a little bit too aggressive," says Len. Bruno shouts about pocket rockets and Mad Max but also spotted her shoulders spoiling the Spanish lines.
Michael's verdict: Not the most traditional song choice for a paso but swishy skirtography and snarling, stamping intent from Georgia. Expressive paso shaping, right down to her hands. Hesitant in transitions and losing length of neck but rocky, moody choreography, fiery mood and high drama with a storytelling flourish to finish. Olé!

Anita and Gleb's Rumba

Finally got the scores they deserved last week, so can they maintain the standard?

Music: Read All About It by Emeli Sande
Judges' scores: 7, 8, 7, 9 for a total of 31 points - joint bottom with Peter. Harshly scored and divided the judges
Judges' comments: "A true tale of endless love," purrs Bruno. Craig says "great modern choreography and you've turned into a really fine actress but spiky". Dacey says it was "polished, focused but missed pressure and resistance in the feet". Len didn't enjoy it (boo!) and picks them up on illegal lifts and a lack of basic rumba content.
Michael's verdict: Floaty white outfits and a romantic mood. Soft shapes but stilted at times and lacking that continuous hip undulation. Great lifts and drags but footwork and line-finishing an issue. Beautiful feeling but technically not perfect.

Peter and Janette's American Smooth

Can last week's controversial dance-off escapees bounce back? Peter says it's "the most nervous I've ever been".

Music: Sweetest Feeling by the great Jackie Wilson
Judges' scores: 7, 8, 8, 8 for a total of 31 points - bottom so far and the score that Jamelia got eliminated with last week. He was right to be nervous.
Judges' comments: "Joyful but hunchy-crunchy in hold," says Len. "Shoulders came up and lost the mood, otherwise great," says Bruno. Craig wanted to see "longer lines and better details but brilliant performance skills". Darcey says he's clearly worked hard and "it had charm with an impressive one-handed lift but looked careful in places". Too kind to him.
Michael's verdict: Lovely song choice, less sure about the dance. Sickly sweet cupcake theme. A little lumpen at times, frame lost as the routine went on, but strong lifts and upbeat mood.

Jay and Aliona's Tango

Halfway point now. Can the early pace-setter reclaim his crown?

Music: Prince's When Doves Cry
Judges' scores: 9, 10, 9, 10 for a total of 38 points - his highest yet but one point off the lead
Judges' comments: "Oh my," says the overcome Darcey. "You were working as one and used the music superbly." Len says he "missed a few heel leads but that was a delicious mango of a tango". Bruno's "blood is boiling over it thrills me to see you dance". "Clean, sharp, absolutely adored it".
Michael's verdict: Great song choice and great routine. Sharp head snaps, staccato movements, although Jay's looking a little poker-faced and pouty again. Not quite compact enough in flashes but bold choreography, heaps of style, intensity and loads of attack.

Helen and Aljaž's Viennese Waltz

A shaky week in Blackpool, so can the midwife deliver?

Music: At Last by Etta James
Judges' scores: 9, 10 (her first), "from Len the 10" and 10 from Bruno for 39 points - joint highest score of the series so far.
Judges' comments: Craig loved the storytelling and says it was "gaw-jus". Darcey says "dreamy and close to perfection". Len says "Tickle my bum and call me Donald, this was a match made in heaven". Bruno was "charmed to the core by her weightless footwork, your breakthrough dance". Blimey. Too generous, compensating for making her cry last week?
Michael's verdict: Going all out for the Len/traditional vote with a classic song choice and a black-and-white opening. White-and-turqoise fairytale frock for Helen, spinning and twirling around the floor, sweetly romantic mood. Enough effortless flow and heel leads for Len?

Katie and Anton's Argentine Tango

Anton's first ever Argentine Tango on Strictly. He doesn't normally get this far in the competition.

Music: Ástor Piazzolla’s Libertango
Judges' scores: 7, 8, 8, 9 for a total of 32 points. A tad undermarked for me.
Judges' comments: "Drop dead gorgeous, a high-class courtesan," coos Bruno. "Beautifully choregraphed and some of your best lines." Craig says her ganchos could've been sharper, timing was off, spins wobbly and she could've "explored Anton's inner thigh more", which gets giggles. Darcey wanted more exaggeration but liked the intent. Len says "fantastic, clever but not compact enough, I wasn't transported to the Buenos Aires quayside".
Michael's verdict: Great lift to start and an intense, traditional routine. Compact footwork, kicks, flicks and good leggy shaping from Katie. Intricate footwork, lovely spins, the odd stumble but generally: fairly fab-u-lous.

Kellie and Kevin's Salsa

First out tonight, it's last week's joint second-placed couple.

Music: I Want You Back by The Jackson 5
Judges' scores: 8, 8, 9, 9 for a total of 34 points - three fewer than last week. Enough to keep them out of dance-off danger?
Judges' comments: Len says "GR8", like a proper teenager. "Your bionic bum was flying about, sizzling sausages, wobbly lifts, otherwise fabulous." Bruno compares them to "two courting fireflies", whatever that means. Carol says she "lost fluidity in and out of the lifts". Darcey says she's putting too much effort into the lifts and Kev should do more work. Yeah, lazybones from Grimsby.
Michael's verdict: She throws a drink in his face to start, then there's some dreadful business with on-screen text messages. Too try-hard. But then we're into a spicy salsa with lots of side-by-side synchronisation. Dodgy cover version by Dave Arch's Band but some spectacular, daring lifts. Not enough salsa content or tick-tick rhythm for me.

Frockwatch

Aaaand we're off! Time for our weekly fashion judgement. Both presenters shoulder-less and strapless tonight: Tess Daly looking unnervingly bridal in all-white, Claudia Winkleman in black with a monochrome-striped skirt. Claudia just shades it. Judge Darcey Bussell in slinky blue. As for the celebrities, Kellie Bright's in tassells, Katie Derham's in turquoise and Anita Rani's in bridal white like Tess. It's a double wedding!

Eek! It's the quickstep-athon

As well as each couples' regular routine tonight, all seven pairs will return to the dancefloor for the potential chaos of the quickstep-athon. For 90 seconds, 14 people will cram onto that dancefloor like a proper ballroom competition. One to seven extra points will be awarded and added to their scores for an overall leaderboard total, so there's plenty at stake. Remember that Kellie Bright and Kevin Clifton are the only surviving couple who danced a quickstep last weekend, so have a slight advantage.

Back from Blackpool

Strictly's annual jaunt up the M6 to the Tower Ballroom is always a highlight of each series, so expect it to be wistfully mentioned at every opportunity. But now the buckets and spades have been packed away - and everyone's recovered from partying until 4am at Flamingo's nightclub - we're back in the usual Elstree Studios ballroom. A smaller floor means there's none of those distracting backing dancers and hopefully less of what Len Goodman calls "messin' abaht".

Hello and welcome...

To our Strictly Come Dancing liveblog for week 10. We're well into the home stretch of the contest, with that fabled glitterball trophy a tantalising four shows away. Everybody left is is a high-standard hoofer - but that means any of them could be knocked out next. It's all to dance for and this week, they'll be taking to the floor not once but twice.

I’m Michael Hogan, the Telegraph’s Kick, Flick & Quickstep Correspondent. I’ll be building up to tonight’s show, which airs at 6.50pm on BBC One. During the 75-minute sequin extravaganza, you’re cordially invited to watch along with me for rolling analysis, updates, reaction and talking points. Join in too - you can email me on michael.hogan@telegraph.co.uk, tweet me on @michaelhogan or leave comments at the bottom of this blog. I’ll keep an eye on them and report the highlights.

What happened in Blackpool?

Last week was the annual seaside outing to Blackpool Tower Ballroom, with the couples cutting loose beneath those golden balconies and crystal chandeliers. There were high scores, there were copious references to ice cream and donkeys - and there was controversy, too. After appearing in her record fifth dance-off, Jamelia was finally eliminated - despite scoring more than her opponent Peter Andre and getting the backing of head judge Len Goodman, as well as many viewers.

In less contentious news, Georgia May Foote confirmed her status as the contest's current in-form dancer, getting a whopping 38 points for her American Smooth and topping the scoreboard for third time in four weeks. After a roof-rasing paso doble, Anita Rani finally got the scores she deserved to finish joint second with Kellie Bright.