FIRST it was the swing-a-thon and now here comes the quickstep-a-thon.

Yes, it's that time of the series when all the Strictly couples brace themselves for banging elbows as they dance the same style at the same time.

Couples need to stand out with their skill and choreography to avoid getting kicked off the dancefloor by the judges and the last one standing gets the most points.

Seen as hark back to the traditional dancing contest, it is also the first time we will see the celebrities cope with performing two dances in one week.

My money is on Anita Rani and Georgia May Foote coming out top, given their brilliant performances in Blackpool last week.

And what an exciting night it was - full of glitz and glamour as always.

The sheer size of the Blackpool Tower ballroom put the dancers to the test and, I think, began to separate the wheat from the chaff.

While I think Helen George is great, she sadly had a little wobble in her routine and the poor thing looked exhausted as she neared the end of the Charleston.

Others, like Kellie Bright, made use of the whole floor and seemed right at home. Her quickstep to 9 to 5 was a particular highlight with clever choreography.

Another who looked at home was Katie Derham with her American Smooth. No-one could deny how elegant and comfortable she was in the dance, which judge Len Goodman said was her best and earned her highest score so far - 35.

Anton Du Beke hasn't seen these kind of marks for years.

The 'it's a fix' rumour mill started up again after Jamelia's exit following a record five times in the dance off on the trot. Her partner Tristan MacManus, who is new to the show this year, seemed bemused by the whole saga and she claimed on television that it was fixed so Peter Andre could stay on the show.

This has been fiercely denied by judges and producers.

Yes in that particularly week she scored higher and yes her technique was better but overall throughout the series he has been better.

Sorry Jamelia but it wasn't meant to be.

Prediction: Peter will get over his dance off appearance and turn it around with an American smooth and Jay McGuiness will come into his own with the tango.

Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One at 6.50pm tonight and at 7.20pm on Sunday.