‘Stupendous’ Donovan dance steals the show

The Australian and his dance partner, Kristina Rihanoff, left the four judges spellbound – they scored the pair 36 out of 40. Notoriously difficult to please, Craig Revel Horwood told the actor the performance was “stupendous”.

Italian judge Bruno Tonioli added: “As camp as Christmas – fantastic.” And veteran Len Goodman said: “I am going to call you the midwife – because you keep delivering.”

Following three points behind were pop star Harry Judd and his partner Alioni Vilani.

The couple embraced this week’s Broadway theme and danced to Greased Lightning – putting on a markedly better performance than the previous weeks’ efforts.

Judge Alesha Dixon told Judd, from boyband McFly: “Brilliant – it was good to see you having fun.” And Revel Horwood added: “You have finally arrived.”

BBC One sweetheart Alex Jones and her partner James Jordan scored 32 points and had the judges applauding her graceful moves. “It was simply beautiful,” said Goodman. “That was great.”

And Dixon congratulated her on being the most improved dancer.

“It was like watching a magical bird waiting to take to flight for the first time,” added Tonioli.

The 13 couples will find out today which pair are to be voted off the programme by the public.

It was a week of high scoring by the performers, with several couples hitting the 30s.

Actress, model and singer Holly Valance scored 30 points with a “sexy” performance of “smouldering intensity”.

Comedian Rory Bremner hit 31 with a quick step that left the judges smiling.

The evening’s lowest scores came to Nancy Dell’Olio with 20 points for her tango and former boxer Audley Harrison with 24.