Strictly Come Dancing 2013: week five, as it happened 20.17 And a few last Tweets... @acquamarine_jo What is Brendan wearing?! Did he forget his kit and have to find stuff in the lost property box? @vintage_maggie I thought it became an exhibition dance for Brendan but it's Sophie that's the competitor @hilaryalexander Len thinks Sopgie Ellis-Bextor never got into the cha cha cha? No wonder! Strictly has got to have a level playing field for all @karenmlindsay They're getting ther money's worth out of that green eyeshadow they bought for Sophie 20.13 Recap on-screen. An interesting night in the ballroom. Females dominated once again, with Abbey Clancy and Natalie Gumede tied at the top, then Susanna Reid in third place. Ashley Taylor-Dawson and Deborah Meaden improved, while Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Ben Cohen slipped back. As the credits roll, stay with us for a bit more reaction. 20.12 Time for a few of your Tweets... @mofgimmers We're watching Rachel Riley doing something badly for the first time. Straight-A student finds out about shortcomings @chrisrubery "Going to Grimsby has really boosted that friendship," said no-one ever @mellyapps Lots of editing to show the two good bits of Grimsby: the train station and Clifton dance school 20.08 Scores are in and it's 30 points for Sophie, putting her in fifth place. Decent but not up to her usual level. Not in the Champions League places, if you will. 20.07 Divided the judges. Darcey liked it, apart from Sophie's "soft knees." Len didn't buy it and thought it had "no click." Craig spotted a moment where she lost baance but thought it was "rather good." Not quite up to the high standard that Sophie has set herself. Eights? 20.04 They're dancing a disco-style routine to PYT by Michael Jackson. Great tune, some fluffed footwork from Sophie but great armography and some ambitious spins. Sophie looks like she's having trouble keeping up at times but good strut and attitude. 20.02 Final couple now and it's Natalie Gumede's main rival: Sophie Ellis-Bextor and her partner Brendan Cole. She came joint top last week with a jazzy Hollywood foxtrot. This week it's the more cha-cha challenging cha cha. Rather random Chariots Of Fire VT. 20.01 A total of 27 points for Ben - lower-to-mid-table but his popularity should see him safe. 19.59 "A bit out of your comfort zone," says Craig who didn't feel like he was leading but loved his face. Darcey says he was lighter on his feet than she expected but needs to "up the difficulty." Len lays into the messin' abaht, as is traditional, and wants to see more content next week. Bruno wanted to bring a pizza. Racist? Just jesting. He wants more too, "the full whack." Seveeens and an eight from Darcey? 19.58 They're dancing a quickstep to the Friends theme tune. Some messin' abaht with a sofa pillow fight to start, then into hold and some skippy movement. Ben looks a bit stiff and rictus grinny. 19.56 VT footage of Ben getting a visited from his uncle George Cohen who was right-back in England's 1966 World Cup-winning team. "Don't come home without a trophy," says Uncle George. No pressure. 19.55 Penultimate couple now and it's Big Ben Ding Dong, aka Ben Cohen, and his partner Kristina Rihanoff. Stripped down to his vest for a saucy salsa last week. 19.53 Scores are in and it's eights all round for a total of 32 points. Third place so far and it's ladies' night again: females occupy the top three places on the leaderbaord. 19.52 "Sunny and exuded happiness," says Bruno, but wanted more stretch. Craig says: "One word: gaw-jus." Blimey. Darcey says "there's a film star in you" but be more confident on the lifts. Len says "last week it was all bounce, bum and bongos, this week it was smooth, suave and sophisticated." 19.48 Now it's Susanna Reid and her partner Kevin from Grimsby. Wild and saucy samba last week but now she's calming it all down with an American Smooth to Tony Bennett's Sunny side Of The Street. Some messin' abaht with umbrellas and macintoshes to start. Some foxtort content, spins, lifts and snazzy footwork but a tad stilted at times. 19.47 Scores are in and it's 31 points for Ashley, second best so far and restoring him to top-scoring male. 19.45 "Speed , energy and lots of gertcha," says Len approvingly, even though he lost technique at times. "Kicks and flicks need to be sharper and cleaner," says Bruno. Craig says Ashley was lucky he was off-camera when recovering from his knee-slide. "Brilliant!" says Darcey. Brucey talks over her awkwardly. 19.43 They're dancing a jive to rock'n'roll classic Johnny B Goode by Chuck Berry. Miming with a guitar to start, then into an energetic 50s-style jive, complete with spins, slides, leaps and carthweels. Lots of content, lots of fun. 19.41 Ninth couple now: Ashley Taylor-Dawson and his partner Ola Jordan. A nervous, stiff waltz last week but he'll be bidding to bounce back this time and reclaim his position as top male. 19.40 Yep, a clean sweep of sevens for a total of 28 points, Mark's highest yet. 19.37 Warm reception in the studio for this popular couple. Darcey says she was "transported by the elegant gentleman" and she liked how he held Iveta with tenderness and care. Len says it was "easy on the eye" but his frame and posture suffered. "Well played, great performance," says Bruno. Craig drawls that it was "simple, effective and so much better than that ghaaaaastly dance last week." 19.36 Comedy Mark's playing it straight this time, so went for deportment lessons during the week. They're dancing a waltz to Apologise by One Republic. He looks dapper in a tux, took a while to get into hold but nice movement once they do, if a little stumbly and stately. 19.35 Next out it's the brilliant Mark Benton and his partner Iveta Lukosiute, who danced an MC Hammer hip-hop cha cha last week. 19.32 They trained 30 hours this week, says Tess. Didn't translate into scores, though, and it's 22 points, leaving Rachel second bottom and seriously in danger of the dance-off. 19.31 Darcey damns her with faint praise, saying she's clealry worked hard but needs to be crisper and sharper. Len patronises Rachel and says the dance didn't suit "smiley Riley." "It's hard being a man-eater, but I can do it," quips Bruno who says it was the "vegetarian option." I think Rachel could be in dance-off danger again. Fives, maybe some sympathy sixes? 19.30 "Too stiff, like trees being felled, not compelling," says Craig, who's got it in for Rachel. Hip hurting, dah-ling? 19.28 They're dancing a paso doble to Maneater by Nelly Furtado with a neat modern twist on the traditonal red-and-black costumes. Some messin' abaht with a cage to start and Rachel looks a bit shaky in the solo sections but some swishy skirt work, nice shaping and character. 19.26 This week, she needs to be passionate for Pasha. Acting lessons this week for Rachel, who has been a little stiff so far. Can she tap into the fiercy character of the bullfight? 19.25 Past the halfway point now. Next up it's Rachel Riley and her partner Pasha Kovalev, trying to recover from their shock appearance in the dance-off last week. Equally shockingly, Brucey did that last link rather well. 19.24 Even better than I thought: a total of 30 points, Fiona's best yet. Well done her! Anton looks delighted. As well you might after Ann Widdicombe and Nancy Dell'Olio. 19.23 "Finally, fabulous Fiona, your best dance," says Darcey. Len liked it too and there was lots of content. 19.22 "Fiona finally putting on the glitz," yells Bruno. Mistakes in the footwork but she covered it up well. Craig noticed the mistakes, obviously, but says she "flew around the floor and is definitely back in the room." 19.21 This is better. Good energy and movement around the floor, Fiona lighter on her feet, a celebratory Hollywood feel. She's back. 19.20 They've gone from the slow rumba to the quickstep, dancing to Sammy Davis Junior from the musical Sweet Charity. Let's hope she can act more animated than Roger Moore in his good luck message. 19.18 Next up it's Fiona Fullerton and her partner Anton Du Beke. She lost focus and her rumba caused a rumpus last week, so she needs to bounce back. 19.16 More wrist talk on the balcony but the scores are in and it"s a total of 28 points for Patrick. Mid-table and very respectable under the circumstances. 19.14 Len makes the inevitable Casualty gag and they did well to change the choreography to make it a one-handed dance. "Good job under terrible circumstances," says Len, the big drama queen. Bruno says Patrick was on-off and the routine was loose and unfinished. Craig agrees: "Stoppy, starty, no flow but you naturally have fantastic hips." Darcey "loves to see a man in control." Seveeeeens? 19.12 It's a salsa to Wings by Little Mix. Both in red, Patrick with a strapped-up wrist and not able to hold her hand with his right but they're compensating well. Lots of spins, swings and energy. A nice pounding party feel. 19.11 A stylish cha cha last week, getting Patrick's best score yet and making him the top-scoring male. We hear about his wrist injury, which has meant that Anya has had to change their routine drastically and remove all the lifts. 19.10 Fifth couple out tonight are Patrick Robinson and his partner Anya Garnis. Wrist action ahoy. 19.09 Sixes and seveeeeens for a taotal of 27 points. Four points up on last week. 19.07 Len, as predicted, hated the opening but thought it was romantic once they "got cracking." Bruno does his standy-uppy-shouty thing but agrees with Len - slow intro but better flow. Ironside... sorry, Craig thought her topline was a "dis-ah-ster." 19.06 Much improved. Darcey liked the power-game twist to the choreography but her topline let her down. 19.05 Standing ovation. "Look at this!" shouts Brucey. Grrr. 19.04 They're dancing a Viennese waltz to James Brown's soulful It's A Man's Man's Mans World. Bowler hat and desk to remind us of Deborah's business background. Too much messin' abaht for Len's liking, I suspect, but finally into hold. Some decent footwork and nice spins. 19.03 Next up are Deborah Meaden and Robin Windsor, who danced a dodgy jive last week and did well to avoid the DDO (dreaded dance-off). 19.01 Dave's best score so far is 23. That gets just 17 points. Not his worst but bottom of the scoreboard so far. He might well stay there. 18.59 Len says his "left leg never knows what your right leg's doing" and says it's "not top quality dancing but top-quality fun." Bruno says it was "crackers with maracas." Still Brucey's favourite, though. Poor Dave. Time to go? I fear he might be with us for a couple more weeks... 18.57 Panto dame Craig says he should've stayed on the fruit trolley but eventually cracks a smile. "The salsa's a party, Craig," says Dave. Get with it. Darcey says he was out of synch all the way through. 18.56 Spectacular spin to end on and a miaow from Dave, before he tucks into a banana, saying, "Dancing makes me hungry." 18.55 They're dancing a salsa to Cuban Pete from The Mask. Frilly, flouncy sleeves and maracas for Dave. Fruit on her head for Karen. Lots of walking rather than dancing, not much timing but lots of fun. 18.54 Dave did anti-gravity yoga this week to improve his much-criticised posture. Hanging upside down like a bat. Or Craig Revel Horwood at night. 18.53 So we've had two stunning routines to start with and now it's fro the sublime to the ridiculous: Dave Myers and his partner Karen Hauer. 18.52 Scores are in and it's exactly the same as Abbey's score last week and Natalie's score tonight: 35 points, putting her joint top of the leaderbaord with Natalie Gumede. 18.49 Bruno thought it was "beautiful, great chemistry, like a love letter set to music, almost picture perfect." Craig loved the story and turns - it was indeed stylishly choreographed. "Perfect upper body," says Darcey but she wanted even more stretch in the back leg. Don't we all, darling. Len refers to Craig as "old Ironside" and admires Abbey's consistency, adding that it was "wave after wave of effortless, elegant movement." More nines on the way but can she beat Natalie's 35 points? 18.48 No standing ovation for them. 18.46 They're dancing a foxtrot to Dear Darlin' by Olly Murs. Abbey in a lovely black-and-nude gown. Romantic routine with lovely spins, shaping and movement. 18.45 This pair danced a fierce tango last week to finish joint top of the leaderbaord. Meanwhile, Abbey's husband Peter Crouch scored at Old Trafford today. A good omen? 18.44 Second out are Abbey Clancy and her partner Aljaz Skorjanec. Brucey manages to fluff a toddler-frendly joke in the intro. 18.43 Finally, a mention of poor Artem's fractured nose. Scores are in and it's three nines (no prixes for guessing who the eight came from) for 35 points, the same as last week. That'll take some beating. 18.41 Len Goodman was "perspirating and flatulating," loved the chorepgraphy but "could have had a tad more bounce." "Hypnotic and erotic," purrs Bruno Tonioli, who said she was exciting to watch. Craig says she should "heighten her double bounce action" and sort her elbow, but the timing and hip action was brilliant. Darcey Bussell tells her to straighten her leg for the kicks. Nines all round? 18.38 Standing ovation form the crowd, while Brucey does his annoying "Look!" thing. And here are the judges, with Craig Revel Horwood in his NHS-issue sparkly black throne. Hip op hooray. 18.37 Here they are, dancing a samba to the Gypsy Kings, Natalie in a saucy senorita gown, lots of flamenco influences and floorspins. Nice but I thought I spotted some fluffed steps early on. 18.36 Most of Yorkshire incensed by Brucey's gag there. Now a recap of their triumphant jazz fusion quickstep from last week. This week, they're dancing a samba - Artem's first ever samba on Strictly, fact fans. 18.35 First couple to dance tonight are the early pace-setter Natalie Gumede and her partner Artem Chigvintsev. Expect bad back and broken nose talk on the VT. 18.33 Time to meet the stars of our show. All fairly soberly attired, compared to last week's novelty outfits - well apart from Dave Myers and Karen Hauer. 18.32 Here's our hosts, Sir Brucey Of Chinsworth and Tess Daly in a dark blue frock. Star-studded studio audience including Anneka Rice, Elaine Paige and Gloria Hunniford. Inside word is that Anneka Rice got the biggest cheer. 18.30 And we're off! Recap of last week's action. Bucks Fizz skirt-rips! Rachel Riley with a mini-pizza on her head! And Julien Macdonald stomping and shouting his way out of the competition. Clap along to that theme tune... Nearly there. It's cold and windy outside. Grab yourself a tipple and soak up the fake-tanned, Lycra-clad, sequin-spangled action... 18.26 Last knockings of Celebrity Pointless on BBC One right now and, as tradition dictates, just time to marvel at host Alexander Armstrong's amazing ears. Would love to see those extra-large lugholes flapping around the ballroom floor one day. 18.25 Five minutes to go. The bookies' favourites for the "DDO" (dreaded dance-off) are Rachel Riley and Fiona Fullerton. But Mark Benton, Deborah Meaden and Dave Myers could also be in danger if they don't dance well tonight. 18.15 Fifteen minutes until ballroom bully-off and I'll give you the details of those injuries mentioned in brief at the top of this blog. Regular viewers will know that judge Craig Revel Horwood went off for his hip operation after last week's show. He'll be on the panel tonight but arriving on silver sparkly crutches and sitting in a special black NHS-issue glittery chair. So Strictly. Meanwhile, Casualty actor Patrick Robinson fell over while rollerskating as part of training and has an injured wrist, which has meant that partner Anya Garnis has had to adapt their routine. Finally, pace-setter Natalie Gumede broke professional partner Artem Chigvintsev's nose in training. Well, she did play a violent villianess in Coronation Street, I suppose. Life imitating soapy art. I'll be accompanying you through tonight's 100-minute ballrom bonanza, as the 12 remaining pro-celebrity couples take to the famous floor for their fifth dance. It's showtime at 6.30pm, so please join me for pre-show build-up and gossip from behind the scenes, then watch along with us. Half an hour before we once again staaaaaaart dancing!