91Èȱ¬

Alright, it's show 8 and despite receiving their highest score of the series so far, after four dance offs, Heather and Brian were finally defeated. But at least they went out on a high, the Tango definitely being Heather's strongest dance and her favourite of the whole competition.

During rehearsals heather had said to me with real conviction, I do not want to be in that dance off again, and you could feel her determination. A big turnaround for our most nervous ever, strictly celeb. But ever the lady she bowed out with dignity. And our American boy Brian, declared that he loved living here in the UK.

He's had a wonderful time on his debut series. A welcome new addition to the show, Brian has been very warmly received by the strictly audience, and ever gallant, he put up with my mum and her extremely enthusiastic mates mobbing him for photos and a few more kisses than were strictly necessary, in the bar after the show.

Ditto Austin , who very generously didn't complain about having his guns fondled. And rather bemused looking John Sergeant who can't quite believe the sudden female attention. You're a long way from Whitehall now, Jonny boy. I wonder what Mrs Thatcher makes of all the fuss and more importantly, has she been voting?

And in a shock result a stunned Rachel and Vincent also found themselves in the dance off. Only to be saved by a unanimous and incredulous judging panel. It was all too much for an overcome Rachel, who sobbed uncontrollably with relief, at being saved from the chop. It was all the more unexpected as after their American smooth all the judges had commented on Rachel's vast improvement it just goes to prove, you never can tell, which way the cookie will crumble when it comes to the public vote.

And when it came to personal best scores I think Saturday's show was a record breaker, Christine and Matthew, Cherie and James, Rachel and Vincent and Lisa and Brendan all recorded their highest scores of the series so far.

Everyone else trained hard, knuckled down, their heads well and truly in the game. Three of our couples took the joint top spot with the judges, Tom and Camilla, Lisa and Brendan and Cherie and James. How completely awesome was Tom's Quickstep? He was so light on his feet that he looked like he was on wires, and that daring tap intro certainly paid off, even with famously faff phobic Len.

Lisa's Viennese Waltz was a whirling delight, and Arlene talked of her emerging as a real contender at this stage of the competition. And Britain's most elegant woman, Cherie, made her comeback in beautiful ballroom form. Let's just pray she can cut it in the Latin too.

Christine's ballet lessons had clearly paid off, her jumping jive was a joy for all, didn't she look just a darling, in that dazzling yellow dress.

Apart from Rachel being in the dance off, the other shock of the night has to be Austin, taking home his lowest score to date with THAT Rumba. More used to sitting comfortably at the top of the leader board, Austin found himself in a much more vulnerable position and admitted it had been his biggest challenge to date.

"Rugby players don't do sensual" he said. Oh I don't know Austin, there's a fair few females who would disagree with you on that front! Arlene said she couldn't see the romance in his and Erin's Rumba, eh? Come again? And there was I, feeling like a complete gooseberry, watching them turn up the heat with a series of raunchy smooches. Endearingly Erin said that when she was babysitting for Austin's Kids one evening, (Sorry but how generous is that?!) his little girl had said to her "I don't like it when you kiss my daddy on the cheek." How cute. I hope she wasn't watching on Saturday then, still it's all in the name of the game.

On to dear Jodie, and as she had feared all week she struggled with her Samba, and with the longest legs in strictly history, apart from Mark Foster that is, coupled with the most difficult Latin dance, it was never going to be easy.

Despite a bit of a mauling by the judges she was voted in to dance another week. So too was the Sergeant, who lives to march another day, John dished up another dose of TV gold with his hip shaking Cha Cha, to twist and shout.

He might have received a slating from the judges but he's entertaining the audience and they want him in! And as our beloved Mark Foster said to me after the show, "this is not 91Èȱ¬ Sport after all, it's 91Èȱ¬ Entertainment" and do you know what, he's got a point. Can I please just take a moment to mention the vocal talents of our four singers. Are they not some of the best live singing voices you've heard on the telly? Hats off to them and I for one will be buying they newly released album.

I can't wait until I'm writing to you at this time next week, as it means I will have danced my debut with Anton, for Children in Need. Oh lordy, I do hope the nerves don't make me make a complete fool of myself. All you've got is 90 seconds and on chance live, to get it right. My stylist on the show, the very talented Annabel had to take in my frock this week. She seemed surprised that I'd lost weight. I said it must be due to the stress. I'll be half the size by this time next week! Oh eck the countdown is on. And there's no getting out of it now. See you then

Tess' Take - week seven

Tess' Take - week six

Tess' Take - week five

Tess' Take - week four

Tess' Take - week three

Tess' Take - week two

Tess' Take - week one