Lauren Steadman, 25, and AJ Pritchard, 24, made their return to Strictly Come Dancing tonight. Last week, the couple were bottom of the leaderboard, making this week more important than ever for them. But did they rise to the occasion? Body language expert Judi James shared her insight with Express.co.uk.
“In what was probably the most bizarre night of the series so far, with Faye & Giovanni scoring straight tens for galumphing around as wooden puppets while Stacey and Kevin produced projectile tears from Bruno for their Les Mis number, poor Lauren and AJ became slightly upstaged after performing what was her best dance to date.
“The couple finally seem to have found their symmetry and overcome their apparent shyness about using intimate touch and eye contact.
“They swirled together around the floor like one romantic being and as Lauren performed her solo spots she also finally seemed to have tuned into her performer confidence, acting the scene from South Pacific as well as she danced it.
“Lauren is still held back by her own levels of modesty though. Her nose-wrinkled smile and lack of eye contact with AJ before they danced suggested she is still struggling to realise her own potential and just let rip on the dance floor.
“AJ held her arm encouragingly while they posed together but at this stage of the contest he should be holding her ego back, not trying to inflate it every week.
“Lauren showed genuine class and potential in her routine which was beautifully executed and technically excellent, but with some of the showier celeb routines that came after her she could easily find herself the Cinderella of the series.
“She probably has the potential to be a winner but if she stays in let’s hope she taps into her inner diva and really shows off her more confident side to allow herself to get totally into role before the semi-finals.”
Bookmakers have predicted Lauren to be the next contestant to be eliminated from the series, although she received her first nine from Darcey Bussell in the scoring tonight.
She has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of Graeme Swann, who left the competition last weekend.
According to Betway, her odds of 6/4 suggest the public will fail to vote to save her.
Nevertheless, if she does make it into the dreaded dance off, it seems she will be joined by Charles Venn, 45.
The ex-EastEnders actor is also at risk as Betway place him second, with odds of 11/10 to exit this weekend.
Also performing tonight were Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton, who have been hotly tipped to win, often scoring high marks from the judges.
Joe Sugg, Charles Venn, Faye Tozer and Ashley Roberts also took to the floor with their partners.
The next contestant who is set to leave will be announced tomorrow night, with the final on Saturday 15th December.