Strictly 2023: The stars hit Blackpool but 40 points is still out of reach

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Craig and Motsi sum up the vibe of the night

Nigel and Katya close the show on a high

It's back to the upbeat numbers for the final routine of the night, for Nigel Harman and Katya Jones' Quickstep.

This dance seemed right up Nigel's street as he conducted the band in a white tails suit and bow tie.

Upbeat, but with some mistakes

Craig agreed it was right up his street, too - but unfortunately said "the footwork went wrong quite a bit".

Motsi said that despite the mistake, it was "some of the best dancing we've seen today".

Anton added: "You're such a leading man - we could see you on any West End stage," but agreed with the others that there were lots of mistakes tonight.

Those mistakes took their toll on the scores and left Nigel looking disappointed as he got 7, 8, 8 and 8 - 31 points.

Angela and Carlos change the pace

Not everyone can go for the fun Blackpool vibe, so it was a tough call for Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu with the Argentine Tango, which is always going to struggle to take up enough of that giant ballroom.

But with some clever lighting and an unashamedly intense routine, they managed to make it work.

Anton's favourite dance of the night

Anton thought they pulled it off, saying: "Your legs are beautiful, you have immaculate legs, darling. There's been some great dances tonight - this has been my favourite."

However, Craig thought Angela's legs were "a little stiff" but praised their partnership and storytelling.

Motsi told Angela: "This was your best number...incredible," while Shirley added: "I'm so overwhelmed with that performance. I absolutely adored it."

Craig was in disagreement with the others as he scored an 8 while the others gave 10s - 38 points.

Ellie and Vito's Blackpool-tastic Charleston

Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola have been topping the scores of late, but they're clearly not slacking off now as they threw every bit of energy into their fast paced Charleston.

Their routine to Girls Aloud's Love Machine took a Blackpool arcade theme and included some nerve-jangling lifts for Ellie.

Craig's favourite ever swivel

Shirley said: "A partnership built on trust. Those lifts...we were very, very nervous."

Craig told them: "My goodness, that has to be one of the hardest Charlestons we've ever seen. Also, the best cross swivel I've seen ever."

And Motsi added: "For me to describe that Charleston, the only word left is perfect."

They matched Layton's score exactly - 9 and three 10s, making 39 points.

Annabel and Johannes give goosebumps

Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe brought us the second American Smooth of the night, but with a very different and more romantic vibe.

Tonight, Annabel went for all the lifts and a dizzying amount of spins in a graceful blue silk gown with a very flashy collar.

Annabel and Johannes danced a graceful number

Shirley said the dance almost brought her to tears, while Anton said: "Your line is the best line in the whole competition."

Craig added: "You have come such a long, long way from the beginning. This is incredible, gorgeous."

Annabel and Johannes scored 8, 9, 9 and 9, making a total of 35 points.

Layton and Nikita's Couple's Choice

It was an emotional start for Layton Williams tonight as he caught up with his family who are close by to Blackpool and they tearfully shared how proud they are of him.

If anyone was going to smash a Couple's Choice it was Layton and Nikita, who turned up in sequinned corsets and threw everything at it, including pole dancing and back flips.

It's another 39 points for Layton and Nikita

Craig got one of the biggest boos of the series as he said: "This is a little bit of a dilemma for me because I loved it but it wasn't entirely in sync."

But Motsi told him: "Babes you rocked it, there's no question about that."

Shirley added: "It takes a lot to impress me but this really is creative genius."

Still a 9 from Craig, but 10s from everyone else - another 39 points for Layton and Nikita, as the rest of the cast chanted "40, 40, 40" in support.

Angela Rippon finally gets to dance at Blackpool

Angela Rippon knows a little more about the Tower Ballroom than most as a former host of Come Dancing - so it's particularly special for her that she gets to dance on tonight's visit.

She and Kai Widdrington had an American Smooth with Angela in a classic ballroom feathered gown.

Angela's back at the Tower Ballroom after 40 years away

The pair hit headlines this week for their controversial save in last week's dance off and Craig Revel Horwood pointed out some mistakes again tonight, as did Motsi.

Head judge Shirley Ballas reminisced about seeing Angela host Come Dancing, saying: "It's a bit nostalgic for me, I'm getting quite emotional. One tiny little hiccup, but the whole performance, you can just be so proud of yourself."

Some disappointing scores for Angela and Kai - 6, 7, 7 and 8, making 28 points.

Kelvin's back in the ballroom...

...but only for the terms and conditions.

Former winner Kelvin Fletcher assured us his whole family are still avid Strictly fans, and had all that handy voting info, too.

Bobby and Dianne are up first

Who isn't championing Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell? The pair are clearly having so much fun, so a Wham! themed Jive is just perfect for them.

Anton Du Beke was a huge fan, saying: "It was just epic. I absolutely loved it."

Bobby and Dianne get things started

Motsi Mabuse agreed: "That's how you open a show, I think that was your personal best."

Bobby told Claudia Winkleman that it "feels like one big party" and was thrilled with his scores - 8, 9, 9 and 9, his highest total of 35 points.

The show is on

Wow, what an opening number!

Blackpool's back

Clearly, it isn't just the celebrities who are thrilled to be at the Tower Ballroom - the pro cast look so excited too.

That opening dance also brought back together a fan favourite pro pairing with Johannes Radebe and Graziano Di Prima.