Remember when you watched Strictly for the show not the scandal (who are we kidding? Those were the Curse of Strictly years, when no marriage was safe…) This year, the show is finally back on form – no, it’s better than on form – and Chris Robshaw didn’t stand a chance.
He’s a nice guy, and while that once was good enough for the Chris contestants (such as McCausland and Ramsey) it’s not when you’ve got next-level dancing from contestants who are giving it everything.
The judges made us wait for it, though. The tension as the votes went to Balvinder then Chris, then back again… you couldn't call it till the last second.
Which is how it should be when both couples turned in strong dance-off spectacles – and we’ll miss Chris for his lifts as much as his abs.
It's also a clapback to those who thought Balvinder may be dealing with a racist voting bloc.
Related: Strictly's Alex Kingston makes "history"
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But after a few years when torrid off-screen accusations made the whole show seem darker, Alex Kingston’s blend of two secret rules (regular BBC show plus personal journey) and her legs of steel as well as La Voix’s full-tilt personality-split lit everything up all over again.
La Voix’s genuinely terrible performance and lowest score in week-four history brought out a new humble side to the catty jokester, which saved them from the dance off even though they’re resting at the bottom of the board.
It feels like they’re realising just how hard it’s going to be at last.
Add that drama to the judges' opinion that this year’s week four provided the best dancing in the show’s history, then mix in the fact that every contestant has at least two secret rules of a journey, a tragedy, a regular BBC show history/social media stardom or a heart-warming/novelty act and this year is None More Strictly.
It’s no wonder a couple of bookies have suspended their odds on the show. How can you work out a winner when everyone’s turned it up to 11?
It’s been hard not to put Strictly up against Celebrity Traitors in the drama stakes recently, but the truth about hardcore Strictly fans is that, while they love teasing the judges with the odd novelty contestant, at heart they’re there for the dancers.
The voters will always back someone who improves and works hard. Take Bill Bailey. He wasn’t just a novelty act, not just a cheery face in the depths of lockdown – he sweated for the show, and he improved his moves every week.
This year, no-one is phoning it in. Every single TV reality/celebrity show usually has to deal with the kid who doesn’t want to play. They’re only there for the jokes, the career rebirth or the post-show earnings. What’s rare about this year’s Strictly is the absence of the one who doesn’t care.
Related: What Strictly's new head judge appointment means
The joy of Alex is that she’s as much a Strictly fan as the rest of us. Watching her confess that going home and watching the show now she’s on it felt weird was a charming moment, which made it much more personal when Johannes told her she was as good as any of the professionals. (It must have been all that time jumping in Doctor Who. Eons of practice.)
What made Ellie bring down the house and force a nation to reach for the tissues, on the other hand, was her show-stopping couple’s choice and Vito’s belief that she deserves to win.
And, frankly, you could say something similar about every contestant this year. With Vicky picking her childhood idol – in fact, with every contestant picking an Icon that means something to them - it’s going to make week five a tough watch for the more emotional viewer.
If you’ve drifted away from Strictly over the off-screen rows and nasty headlines, this year it’s back to form and it’s not just safe to jump back in, it’s positively thrilling. The only people upset about that are the bookies.
Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturdays on BBC One, while spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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