Leaderboard: Semi-Final 2014

Our stars wowed us tonight doing not one, but two fabulous routines each in their bid to make it to the Strictly Final. But, being the Semi-Final, the Judges were tougher than ever.

Here’s a quick recap of the highs and lows of the Leaderboard…

Caroline and Pasha topped the board with a total score of 75. Their first dance – a Foxtrot to Josef Salvat’s version of ‘Diamonds’ – was a cut glass performance that Len thought had “plenty of sparkle”, but “wasn’t quite flawless”. Bruno loved the emotion in the dance, stating: “you’re like a method dancer: I could feel your heartbeat”. And Craig agreed: “your intensity makes you stand out”.

But something stood out more than their first routine: their second! Their “super-charged”, “spicy hot” Salsa certainly helped them land the ‘numero uno’ spot on the Leaderboard. And perhaps more importantly: CRAIG GAVE THEM HIS FIRST 10! AND THEY GOT THE FIRST 40 OF THE SERIES! Len said “I’ll see you next week. If you’re not in the final, the world’s gone mad!”

One couple who have more cause for concern about making it to the Final, however, are Jake and Janette, who came bottom of the Leaderboard with an overall score of 61.

Their first dance – a Cha Cha to ‘Boogie Shoes’ by KC and the Sunshine Band set in the ‘Queen Stric’ didn’t quite raise the bar or land them the ‘Vic-tory’ they’d hoped for. Jake was criticized for too much hip action (can you believe it? We love those hips!) and Craig commented it was “a bit drunken and unruly”. Sadly, it scored them a 30 – the joint lowest score of the night, along with Simon and Kristina’s Samba.

Their second routine, a Viennese Waltz to ‘When a Man Loves a Woman’, wasn’t exactly loved by the Judges either, scoring them an ever-so-slightly higher score of 31. Though Craig commented “it was good”, Bruno suggested: “You can't be stiff necked though… You're gonna choke. Relax!” and Len agreed “You get paralysed with all the technique. You've got to just come out and dance.” But Darcey seems to think Jake’s good enough to stick around, saying: “I don’t want you to doubt yourself!”

But enough of what our Judges made of our stars, we want to know your thoughts! Who do you think will make it the Final, and who’s going home? Let us know in the comments section below.