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This week saw the girls and the guys go head-to-head for the first time, dancing either a Samba or an American Smooth. Would the battle of the sexes lead to murder on the dancefloor? One thing was certain, all of the couples would fight to avoid being at the bottom of the judges' scoreboard.

Getting the show off to a sizzling start, apart from one little slip, was Rachel and Vincent's Samba to Shakira's Hips Don't Lie. Bruno was impressed, but said Rachel had to "get the raunch out." Craig agreed. "Technically you're very good... but go a little bit more wild." And Arlene added that Rachel "just didn't get on fire." for her.

Scores: Craig 7, Arlene 7, Len 8, Bruno 8. Total 30.

Following them were Lisa and Brendan, dancing an American Smooth to Frank Sinatra's It Happened in Monterey. It had happened for the judges too, from their comments. "You were great." said Len. "What a transformation," said Bruno, and Craig, despite pointing out "a couple of bumbles," went on, "however, I wouldn't give up because that was absolutely fantastic." Arlene had the last word. "You are the belle of the ballroom!"

Scores: Craig 8, Arlene 9, Len 9, Bruno 9. Total 35.

Next up were Heather and Brian. Heather had previously shown she had the stuff for the Salsa - could she repeat the trick with this Samba to Lola Lola, by Andy Fortuna? Unfortunately, the answer was no, this time. "Lifeless, lacklustre, laboured," Craig said. "I know you can do it, because you were fantastic in that Salsa, but this - you're thinking about the steps, not the performance," advised Len. "Once you got into it, you were good," said Bruno, "but you've got to grab us by the throat right away."

Scores: Craig 4, Arlene 6, Len 6, Bruno 7. Total 21.

Stepping up next were Cherie & James, with an elegant American Smooth to Eric Clapton's Layla (a slow version, of course). The judges liked what they saw. "You deliver on every level," exclaimed Arlene. "I loved it," agreed Len, and Bruno praised the "finish and precision on everything". Craig had a criticism though - he'd have preferred dynamism and pizzazz in the routine, but his fellow judges didn't agree.

Scores: Craig 7, Arlene 9, Len 9, Bruno 9. Total 34.

Mark and Hayley gave the next performance, an energetic Samba to Spice Up Your Life by The Spice Girls. Mark's last performance was criticised for having too little character, but the acting lessons he'd been taking had changed that - sadly not all for the good. "The timing was off, the musicality was off," said Bruno, but "the fun was in." Craig expressed amazement at seeing Mark's body move in such "a bizarre and awkward way", and Arlene summed it up, "the performance was vital, but you forgot to dance at the same time."

Scores: Craig 3, Arlene 5, Len 5, Bruno 4. Total 17.

Following with an American Smooth, to Barry Manilow's Can't Smile Without You, were Don and Lilia. Their performance just didn't quite do it for the judges. "You did an adequate job," Craig said. Arlene had enjoyed the start, but then felt Don had "gone cold... you didn't let the dance in." And Bruno felt that the dance had lacked character. "You were a bit off".

Scores: Craig 6, Arlene 6, Len 7, Bruno 6. Total 23.

Then it was the turn of the frontrunner among the male celebrities, Austin to take to the floor with partner Erin and perform a Samba to Everybody Move Your Feet by Junior Senior. The judges weren't quite as wowed this time round. "It was very locked in your upper body," felt Arlene, though "those hips - the movement was fabulous!" Len liked it, but pointed out that Austin had lost the steps a couple of times, and Bruno thought it had been "a bit of a missed opportunity. You knew you had made some slight mistake, and it stopped you." Surprisingly, Craig had only good to say. "I loved it. I thought it was great." he said.

Scores: Craig 8, Arlene 8, Len 8, Bruno 8. Total 32.

Next Andrew and Ola danced an American Smooth to You Know I'm No Good by Amy Winehouse. It was a disappointing performance, for Andrew as much as anyone, and the judges' comments were hard. "More dazed and confused than American Smooth", sighed Bruno. Craig had a long list of flaws, including Andrew tripping over his own feet, and banana-like hands, and Arlene thought the most exciting moment was when a lift failed. "A gallant effort," commiserated Len, but "it didn't work tonight."

Scores: Craig 3, Arlene 4, Len 5, Bruno 5. Total 17.

It was back to the Samba with Christine and Matthew, performing to Baila Baila Conmigo by Ruben Gomez. Christine definitely had what the Samba takes as far as the judges were concerned. "Samba is carefee joy and you have that in spades," said Bruno. Craig agreed. "You lost a little timing...but your recovery and end were excellent." And Arlene added, "Your smile lights up the floor, you make everybody want to get up and join in, and that's a Samba!"

Scores: Craig 7, Arlene 7, Len 8, Bruno 8. Total 30.

Then Jodie and Ian took to the floor, hoping their American Smooth to Steve Tyrell's Witchcraft went down better with the judges than Jodie's Rumba two weeks ago. It looked like Jodie had found the dance for her. "What a vast improvement!" declared Craig. "That was absolutely your best dance," agreed Len, though adding that Jodie had to be more "fluid" with her arms. "Way to come back," said Bruno. "That was a dream!"

Scores: Craig 7, Arlene 7, Len 8, Bruno 8. Total 30.

John and Kristina were on next, dancing to Papa Loves Mambo by Perry Como. It was John's first ever Latin number, so how would he take to the sultry moves of the Samba? Not all that well. "This is supposed to be a party dance," explained Arlene. "There's more fun in a party conference." Len admitted that it had "lacked a bit of the carnival spirit," to which Bruno responded that it was like "Carnival on valium." And Craig simply said, "Absolutely dreadful. Sorry."

Scores: Craig 2, Arlene 4, Len 5, Bruno 5. Total 16.

Rounding off the performances were Tom and Camilla, dancing an American Smooth to Chicago by Frank Sinatra. Tom was getting married the next day, and the judges had an early wedding present for him. "Sleek, stylish, sophisticated!" shouted Bruno. "Lift at the end a bit precarious," started Craig, but, "full of charm and confidence, I loved it." And Len went straight to what was on Tom's mind. "I know your goal is to beat Austin. No question tonight, you've done it."

Scores: Craig 8, Arlene 9, Len 9, Bruno 9. Total 35.

So, Mark, Andrew and John are the lowest rated by the judges. Tune in at 8.15pm on Sunday to find out which couple will be leaving the show.