Strictly Come Dancing: Nottinghamshire popstar Jay McGuiness beats nerves to

Elsewhere, broadcaster Jeremy Vine had the audience on their feet and judge Darcey Bussell in giggles as he and partner Karen Clifton danced a rip-roaring cha cha cha to September by Earth, Wind And Fire.

Fellow panellist Craig Revel Horwood was booed as he complained about Ogogo’s “pigeon toes” but he also stated: “You’re the best boxer we’ve ever had on Strictly”. “And I’ve loved it really”.

Similarly, athlete Iwan Thomas was pulled up for his “lumpy” Tango, and told by judge Bruno Tonioli that he had plodded through it: ‘like an oxen [sic] under a heavy load’.

Team GG – that’s Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice – danced the Jive for their first performance, with their first outing to Dear Future Husband by Meghan Trainor.

I wouldn’t say by any means that I am an expert dancer, but it has tuned me in to my body. “Your chemistry was tangible”.

But Donegal singer Daniel O’Donnell had one special little fan cheering him onto the Strictly dance floor.

Meanwhile there was rare praise for Anton Du Beke and his partner Katie Derham.

“That was the best dance over the two nights”, said Len, as Peter went top of the leaderboard. Craig was shocked it was so confident, Darcey said it was wonderful to see her have such a great dance with Gleb.

I have the weekend off in London, so I went to see one of my friends, the singer John McNicholl, performing in St Joseph’s Club in Highgate. “Anton you now have something to work with”.

After the performance, the comments from the judges were mainly positive.

Bruno: “It started like a dream – but if you do make a mistake just try to catch up”.

Kirsty and Ainsley each scored 20 points.

Darcey: “You were overflowing with attitude – the game the two of you were playing, the tug and the pull – it was brilliant”.

“That dance would qualify for the World Dad Dancing Championships”, said Craig, calling Jeremy’s bottom wiggles “bizarre”. That’s if you call the nerve-wracking experience of dancing for the first time in the hope of getting more than a “2” from the judges fun.