With only four weeks to go the competition is really starting to kick in! The videos opening the show all seemed to be of the male contestants hurting themselves! We welcomed Robin back as head judge of the ice panel as he finished his Olympic duties.

Torvill and Dean opened the show to Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Katherine Jenkins “Love Never Dies” – the title song from the new Phantom of the Opera sequel.

The required element this week was the unassisted jump. This is quite a difficult manoeuvre and requires confidence and strong skating.

Mikey Graham and Mel
Music: Dancing in the Dark – Bruce Springsteen
Mikey looked a little unsteady whilst skating on his own this week which was a shame as his lift work was nice and his two waltz jumps (his chosen unassisted jump) were strong as well. We found out after the skate that he had a fall before and hurt his knee and this can make nerves appear. Having said that, it wasn’t too bad a performance and he picked himself up after the stumbles. Hopefully, next week, he will come back stronger.

Daniella Westbrook and Matthew
Music: Rose – K D Lang
This was a really fun number from Danniella and she looked great again performing. Her waltz jump was well controlled with a nice landing edge. She hits lovely positions in the lifts and if I were to be picky I say that she needs to point her toe on the exit edges. Her legs are straight and high and that would finish the line off. I always enjoy watching Daniella skate her routines as she always has a smile on her face and looks to love every minute.

Kieron Richardson and Brianne
Music: Careless Whisper – George Michael
Kieron has had a big setback this week with splitting his lip. It was a difficult fall and has affected his confidence as that seemed to be on his mind through this performance. I thought this was not his best skate as he was unstable on his mohawks at the start and also on the first lift. He completed the half axels which was good to see as that was the move which he fell on in practice. Kieron seemed to settle down after the axels but I thought it was a little too late in the routine. A big well done though to Kieron as it takes bravery to get back on the ice after a bad fall.

Emily Atack and Fred
Music: Da Do Run Run – The Ronettes
I thought that this was the liveliest performance from Emily and the best she has done so far! All credit to her for do the lift at the end in a split platter position, which is very difficult. The waltz jump was very well done with a controlled landing. She seemed more in control of her skating and was lower in the knees, which made her look softer. Her highest score of 18.5 was well deserved and hopefully this will be a start of seeing an improvement from Emily.

Danny Young and Frankie
Music: Yeah Yeah – The Flaming Lips
Danny looked to have improved on his skating this week and the work with Karen has paid off. Having said that, I am still not sure I like these as a couple. I feel that Frankie takes the lead in the partnership when it should be Danny and when I watch him I want him to lower his shoulders as he loses his neck. He has very muscular arms so this makes the neck disappear even more so. The lift was nice and the toe-loop – Danny’s jump of choice and more difficult than a waltz jump – was very well controlled. Definitely an improved performance from Danny and he deserved the higher points this week.

Hayley Tamaddon and Daniel
Music: Don’t Stop Believin' – Glee
I really like Hayley but I don’t think that this was her best performance. She didn’t make any errors and the chosen waltz jump toe-loop combination was executed well. I thought with the music and her background it was slightly too ‘cheesy’!. People will probably disagree but that is my opinion. The elements though were done with ease and style and her solo skating has improved massively.

Gary Lucy and Maria
Music: The Race - Yellow
I thought that this was a good idea for a routine and it looked fun to perform! Apart from a slight wobble on the lift were he nearly hit the side I thought Gary skated it well although I do think that he has had better skates. The toe-loop was landed very nicely although he could have extended his free leg slightly more. What I like about Gary is that he skates well on his own without having to hold Maria. Hopefully next week will be even better!

The Skate-off
I was really shocked to see Daniella in the skate off, as she has been so consistent in her performances over the past weeks. Emily was the second person in the skate off and although tonight showed an improved performance I think she hasn’t made as big steps as the others.

Daniella was first to skate and unfortunately wasn’t as stable as the first skate. She didn’t look happy with her performance at the end, as she knew she could have skated it better.

Daniella is the person who goes through with four votes to one and Emily unfortunately leaves the competition.