“You ain’t my dance partner.” “Yes I am!” His scores have been creeping up and Jamie Borthwick finished joint second on last week’s leaderboard. Can he continue that progression with a paso? Pleasingly traditional, with proper music, a black-and-white matador suit and Michelle Tsiakkas swishing her polka dot skirt. He’s strong, powerful and focused, looking imperious with his chin up. Using his acting skills to nail the attitude and showmanship. Dramatic, fiery, sultry and sizzling, with knee-walks, Spanish line and curved arms. Gathers pace nicely. Lacking a little fluidity at times but really rather good. Olé!

Song: Malagueña by Ernesto Lecuona. This classic flamenco tune by the Cuban composer is a regular choice for Strictly pasos. It was the choice for Stacey Dooley and Kevin From Grimsby, plus Anita Rani and Glen Savchenko (swoon).

Dr Punam Krishan finished bottom of last week’s leaderboard after her jive was littered with mistakes. Can she do better in ballroom hold? The Viennese waltz is dreamy to watch but difficult to execute. She’s in a delicate yellow one-shouldered dress. Standing still too much and takes too long to get into hold but respectable when she does. Soft knees and dizzying spins. She said in the VT that it was more of a Glaswegian waltz but I think it was halfway to Austria.

Song: She’s Always A Woman To Me by Billy Joel. He wrote the folky, love-lorn ballad for his then-wife, Elizabeth Weber, in 1976. The couple divorced six years later. It’s a favourite for Vienneses on Strictly – Dan Walker and Debbie McGee both waltzed to it in previous years.

The ubiquitous BBC presenter makes this week’s Clauditorium cameo, reading out the voting smallprint. He “loves this place and wants to come back”. Your starter for 10: as a 2025 contestant maybe?

He conquered the rumba last week. Now JB Gill out of JLS goes to the opposite end of the speedometer with a high-speed, high-impact jive. There have been only three jives so far this series, scoring an average of 22 points. He should boost that figure. It’s upbeat and bouncy with JB flicking, kicking and up on the balls of his feet. Lacking a little attack but great timing and he sustains the energy impressively. Shake it like a Polaroid picture.

Song: Hey Ya! by Outkast. This 2003 electro-funk banger was the first song to reach 1m downloads on iTunes, stat fans. What’s cooler than being cool? Ice cold!

First sighting of our dancefloor dozen as they emerge onto the fabled Strictly staircase. Fairly restrained outfits this week. Saving the fancy dress for Halloween, wisely.

Here come our paddle-raising panel of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas, frugging to a spot of C&C Music Factory. Motsi looking fab-ew-lous.

Our presentational double act arrive, so time to rate their finery. Tess Daly is in a red asymmetric high-necked dress. Claudia Winkleman is in black velvet. Claud wins.

High fives! Hair tossing! Paul Merson bumping Karen Hauer out of shot with his backside! Rude.

Cue ye olde melodramatic montage. Yes, it means a lot. No, you don’t want this journey to end. Just guessing.