Survival looks set to start relying more on skill than popularity

BBC1, 7pm Saturday

With just one week until Blackpool, this week more than ever all nine remaining couples will be fighting to stay in the competition.

Last week, actor Charles Venn was once again undeservedly in the dance-off. However, the list of rivals he is guaranteed to better in the head-to-head is growing ever smaller. On form he should have the measure of BBC journalist Kate Silverton and former England cricketer Graeme Swann – with an average score of 27 to their 23.5 and 24 respectively – and he typically scores higher in theatrical dances, with a Charleston on the cards.

Swann tackles the salsa, having opened the season in strong style with a samba, but failed to impress the judges with his Thriller-themed cha cha cha on Halloween.

Silverton dances the quickstep, and while she achieved her highest score in the foxtrot – from which quickstep is derived – she has not had the strongest few weeks.

Both have found themselves towards the bottom of the leaderboard, yet never been in the dance-off – however, we're approaching the point in the season when skill counts for more than popularity, so both are at risk. It will be close.

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