The Glitter Ball Keeps Spinning: Strictly's Seventh Symphony of Sparkle and Stakes

Well, can you believe it's already Week 7 of Strictly Come Dancing? Honestly, it feels like just yesterday we were watching the nervous first steps of our celebrity dancers, and now, here we are, deep into the heart of the competition. The pressure, you could say, is truly mounting, and every single routine now feels like a high-stakes gamble.

This Saturday, November 4, 2023, mark your calendars – or just keep BBC One on, because it all kicks off at 7:05 PM. And yes, for those who can't be glued to the telly right then, BBC iPlayer, bless its digital heart, will be ready and waiting for your catch-up needs. It's the kind of appointment viewing that brings a certain sparkle to a Saturday night, isn't it?

Last week, we sadly said goodbye to Krishnan Guru-Murthy and his dance partner, Lauren Oakley. A valiant effort, certainly, but the dance-off claimed another pair. And just like that, the field narrows, making the journey to that coveted glitter ball trophy all the more intense. The remaining eight couples – Angela Rippon, Layton Williams, Ellie Leach, Bobby Brazier, Angela Scanlon, Annabel Croft, Nigel Harman, and Adam Thomas – are truly digging deep now, each week pushing boundaries, pushing themselves.

What will they be dancing to this week? What genre, what rhythm, what costumes will grace the floor? That, my friends, is still a tantalising mystery as I write this, but the anticipation, frankly, is half the fun. We wait with bated breath for those song and dance reveals, don't we? Because each one holds the potential for triumph, or perhaps, a misstep.

Of course, the judging panel – our formidable quartet of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas, and Anton Du Beke – will be there, ready with their critiques, their encouragement, and yes, Craig's ever-present 'dah-ling.' And guiding us through all the sequins and drama will be the ever-charming duo of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, keeping the energy high and the backstage banter flowing.

Oh, and a little something to look forward to, just a whisper on the wind for future weeks: the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom has been confirmed for Week 9! It’s the spiritual home of ballroom dancing, a truly magical venue, and always a highlight of the series. But let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet. First, we have Week 7, a crucial juncture where dreams are made or, alas, sometimes dashed. So grab your popcorn, settle in, and prepare for another evening of pure Strictly magic!