The next sequin-festooned instalment of Strictly Come Dancing takes place on Saturday, 30th September, from 6.20pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Fifteen couples are performing to keep their place in the competition.

The week one scores have been carried over and at the end of the show, the public vote will open for the first time this series – meaning for one couple it’s salsa la vista, baby …

I caught a bit of the Strictly action last week – you know how it is, I was looking for Match of the Day and tuned in about 5 hours early. Could happen to anyone.

The standard on the whole (we’ll come to the stragglers later) was pretty sound I thought, a view given with all the authority and gravitas of a chap of a certain vintage with several left feet. Even I know what ‘good’ looks like.

Nigel Harman was fantastic, but I get the feeling he’d be pretty fantastic at anything he turned his hand to. He tops the judges’ leader board at present with his pro partner Katya Jones. We’ll probably discover in the weeks to come he was in Seven Brides for six months in the mid-noughties, but hey ho. He WON’T be going home early.

Amanda Abbington and her partner Giovanni Pernice were terrific, too – as was Bobby Brazier and Diane Buswell, and Ellie Leach with Vito Coppola (if they don’t do a Godfather-based dance before the end of the series my name’s not Al Five Barrels).

But onwards, dear reader, to those who didn’t quite light up the Elstree sky with the same electricity.

Les Dennis @ 6/4

Good old Les. He’s nearly 70, and deserves several medals for just giving it a dash. His week one effort had to be seen to be believed in truth, and I’ll leave you to work out whether I’m talking Zinedine Zidane or throwing out time at the Dog and Trumpet.

Strictly fans of course love a trier. The old underdog thing – it’s mighty powerful, and it could save Les. However – strictly on form, he’s on the bus home for me.

He’s dancing (well, you know) to an old Hues Corporation classic this week, as have I, on many occasions, in the dim and distant past. Les – we salute you, and wish you well. Don’t let me drift away, my dear, when love can see me through-ooh-ooh .. quite.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy @ 8/1

I’m having a little saver on Krishnan, at what I think is a decent price. He was reasonable, bless, but could be vulnerable. His pro partner is Lauren Oakley, and they danced a Cha Cha Cha. I think that’s what it was …

A foxtrot to Billy Ocean beckons for this week. Now that’s news, of sorts.

So – we’re going to lose one couple at weekend, after which a long journey through many a winter night beckons. Takes Two. Glitter. Lycra. Tears. Dave Arch and his amazing band/singers recreating hits from American rappers, indie groups, alpine yodellers, boy bands – anyone you care to mention. They all come alike, they just adjust their trousers.

Enjoy. We’ll be with you for the ride.