Ladette turned lady Zoe Ball has been stunning audiences across Britain with her consistently dazzling performances on television contest Strictly Come Dancing.

After a nail-biting programme on Saturday, she has now made it through to the grand final next week.

The stereotypical image of the world of professional ballroom dancing is of cut-throat competition and bitchy backstabbing.

But on BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing, the weeks of fighting each other tooth and nail to stay on the show seem to have made the contestants all warm and fuzzy inside.

Watching the four couples competing in Saturday's semi-final from the sidelines, it was clear the celebrities and their partners have come to care hugely about each other, both on and off the camera.

Speaking to The Argus after Saturday's semi-final, TV presenter Zoe Ball said: "The semi-final is the worst of all the shows. It was a real emotional roller coaster. We had come so far and nobody wanted to leave.

"They have tried to make out it's a really competitive environment but we've all spent so much time together and gone through so much that we've become really close.

"I was certain I was leaving. All of us thought we were going and we all had our different theories why. By the time the result was read out I was so drained I just felt a huge relief."

Zoe and partner Ian Waite were down to the final two again and only telephone votes from fans saved them.

The Argus has been urging readers to Vote Zoe and printed a poster in support of the couple.

Zoe said: "I want to thank The Argus and all its readers so much for their support. My friends and family all round the country have been asking for copies of the poster so we've been sending them out - The Argus is spreading across the UK.

"I'm really looking forward to next week. The pressure's off so I can just go for it and have fun."

A curious array of celebrities had gathered at the BBC studios in Wood Lane, London.

Ann Widdecombe wandered over and introduced herself to Gloria Hunniford, while host Bruce Forsyth stopped for a chat with Daley Thompson, who was sat in the audience with Roger Black.

The programme is one of the most glamorous on TV so I thought at least a glass of champagne and some canaps could be on the cards for me to enjoy while I mingled with the stars.

But no such luck. Instead, a small carton of juice and a KitKat was placed on my seat during a ten-minute toilet break halfway through the show.

Still, the sugar rush helped us cope with the highly charged atmosphere during the four hours we spent in the studio.

Zoe and her rivals, cricketer Darren Gough, athlete Colin Jackson and celebrity chef James Martin, looked terrified as they took their two turns on the floor.

The 35-year-old, who lives in Hove with DJ Norman Cook and their four-year-old-son Woody, fought unsuccessfully to fend off the tears after her Paso Doble met with criticism from the judges.

The audience thought the fiery dance was fantastic and Zoe, dressed in a stunning gold gown with a gusset cleverly sewn in, looked as if she was having the time of her life.

The judges said there had been no drama or excitement in the dance but viewers obviously felt differently.

The moment the result was revealed was tense.

But to her visible relief, Zoe made it to the final with Darren and Colin.

The Argus is calling on readers to continue to support her.

Vote for Zoe and Ian to win next Saturday by calling 0901 121 4012.