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It's quick and tricky, but fantastic fun! We caught up with professional dancer Lilia Kopylova to talk about the Samba.

How would you describe the Samba?

The Samba is very quick - a great carnival dance. Its origins are from Africa and Brazil. The dance involves lots of hip actions, it's very uplifting and lively - a party dance!

What advice would you give someone who's struggling with the performance side of the dance?

Because it's such a lively dance, try and focus on the relationship between the man and woman. There's a lot of playing and teasing going on between the couple, so getting the connection right is really important.

How do you go about choreographing a Strictly Samba routine?

Much of the choreography depends on the music. I always choreograph a routine that suits my dance partner. I then try to incorporate as many key elements/moves as possible. A good Samba manages to create a fun atmosphere, contains lots of content and is enjoyable to watch.

What's the hardest part of the dance?

The most difficult thing about the Samba is the dance action. You've got to learn how to flex your knees as well as doing lots of other actions. That's why Latin dance beginners never start with the Samba. For the celebs, I would say the Samba is the hardest dance.

What steps should viewers look out for?

The basic steps are Whisks, Voltas, Promenade Runs and Pivots. One of the harder steps to learn is the Samba Roll - the one where the lady is in front of the man and they're rolling and bending down the floor in total harmony. It's a very effective step, so if a Strictly celeb can use it in their routines, the judges are very impressed.

What do the judges look out for in a Samba routine?

All the judges will be looking out for the dance action. Getting the correct action is the most important thing for the couples. Other dances are slightly more open to interpretation. I think Arlene will be paying a close eye on the interaction between the couples. Craig looks out for interesting choreography and excitement. Len likes to comment on the technical side of the dance, while Bruno tends to notice when the dance doesn't look aesthetically right - commenting on clean lines and shapes.

If the Samba was a drink what would it be?

It would definitely be a tropical drink with lots of alcohol!