Strictly Come Dancing: The first Argentine Tango, a near-perfect score and more highlights from Week 5

It's Week 5 of the competition and things have been heating up. Last week, we saw Jody Cundy and reigning champion Jowita Przystal eliminated from the competition following their salsa. This week, 11 of the remaining couples will compete for their place in the ballroom.

And yes, you did read 11 instead of 12. Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice have had to pull out of tonight's show for "medical reasons", but all being well they'll be taking their place in the competition once again next week.

It's about 35 minutes until the start of the show, let's hope for a night of amazing dancing!

One of our favourite contestants on this year's Strictly is Angela Rippon, who has been wowing audiences with her insane flexibility and energy. So, how does the 79-year-old keep so fit?

Our TV writer Megan Bull has looked into her fitness and diet regime here. Maybe I need to take some of these tips!

© BBC

Last week, it was Layton Williams who topped the leaderboard, after he and Nikita Kuzmin scored 37 for their Cha-Cha-Cha. Will the Bad Education star manage it again with his routine tonight?

And if you missed his performance last week, catch a snippet of it below.

Fresh off their first dance-off, comedian Eddie Kadi and pro partner Karen Hauer sat down with HELLO! to talk all things Strictly. The duo touched upon their close friendship with one another, alongside Eddie's blossoming bromance with fellow contestant Bobby Brazier. Read more here.

Feel free to get in touch with me on Twitter, sorry X, with @MattMooreJourno, and let me know what you're thinking during tonight's show and who you're backing. I'm firmly on Team Eddie and Team Krishnan, and that has nothing to do with me having them in work and friend-related sweepstakes.

And we are on air! Just a normal pre-show montage to get through before we get to the iconic titles, see what our contestants are wearing and then get to some dancing!

Annabel has been one of the biggest surprises of this year's show, but still hasn't navigated herself into a top spot on the leaderboard. Sadly, this might not be her night to do it, as while she delivered plenty of strong Charleston content, there were some timing issues, which the judges noted, with Craig really going in. But still a very strong performance overall, and we're hoping to see her next week.

Judge's scores: 27 (5, 7, 7, 8).

He was on the bar, he was off the bar, he was throwing his hat. Suave, sophisitcated, Nigel has found his groove again after an iffy two weeks. Though the judges noted a moment that Nigel collided with Katya that completely escaped our eyes.

Judges' scores: 29 (7, 7, 7, 8)

© Guy Levy

Eddie and Karen found themselves in the dance-off last week, and if Craig's comments are anything to go by, the comedian could be in danger once again. The samba is one of the hardest dances on the show and the star struggled with footwork, but excelled on energy.

Judges' scores: 24 (5, 6, 6, 7). A 24, which was the same score as last week.

Krishnan's son Jay has been in the audience the past couple of weeks and now he's in the training room! We can't live with how proud of his dad he is!

We kind of thought Krishnan might be one of the early exits when he was announced, as much as we love him, but the Channel 4 newsreader is currently at the top of the leaderboard after that incredible quickstep! There was still criticism from the judges, so we don't think it'll hold out, but we're sure him and Jay will be so proud! Or not happy with Claudia's 'Hello Jay' shirt

Judges' scores: 30 (6, 8, 8, 8).Not only has he topped the leaderboard, but he's equalled his highest score.

© Guy Levy

I'm a sucker for a chessy romance, so Angela and Carlos's dance spoke to me on every level. It was a floaty and fun routine, but wasn't the most well-received from the judges once again, with Craig saying it wasn't "smooth" and that he didn't like the ending. Ouch!

Judges' scores: 28 (6, 7, 7, 8), so fairly solidly in the middle of the leaderboard

First off, we must devote some time to Vito's second-week with an open shirt. Thank you Strictly wardrobe team, now the dance... Wow, OMG, mind blown, everything worked! Ellie was a bit down on the leaderboard last week, but there's no way she's not heading all the way up this week! And is it just me or is their chemistry off the charts? That kiss on the cheek at the end!

Judges' scores: 37 (9, 10, 9, 9), top of the leaderboard and joint highest score of the competition!

© Guy Levy

Layton Williams handled his first lifts of the series and he handled them with complete style. This show is just getting stronger as it goes on, and the cheeky, friendship storyline that Layton and Nikita had touched my little heart. So much fun!

Judges' scores: 39 (9, 10, 10, 10). Near-perfection, of course Layton is at the top of the leaderboard! And it's been 13 years since they was a near-perfect score in Week 5.

We managed to return to old VTs of random thing helps my dancing, good to have you back ol' buddy. But with such a serene and romantic dance, perhaps it really did help Bobby. The pair's chemistry continues to shine through with such a touching routine.

Judges' scores: 32 (7, 8, 8, 9), placing them third on the current leaderboard. But still three couples left.

© Guy Levy

We all love the Backstreet Boys, and while it wasn't perfect, Adam did bring a sense of joy to an otherwise chaotic and manic dance routine. Chairs, white suits, slightly out-of-sync, what more is needed for a Strictly Couple's Choice?

Judges' scores: 32 (7, 8, 8, 9), ties their highest mark and puts them joint third on the leaderboard.

So, there were some incredible lifts in Zara's routine and going free-handed in Week 5 made my jaw drop. But that's kind of where the compliments end for me. A "good effort" sums it up, even if Anton felt bad saying that.

Judges' scores: 28 (7, 7, 7, 7), same as last week, but still has them towards the lower end of the leaderboard.

We had to wait the whole episode for it, but finally we got to see Angela Rippon's Argentine Tango, and what a dance! Sultry and showcasing Angela's legs in their full glory (surely they have an X account by now?), she set the mood for the rest of the versions we'll see over the series.

Judges' scores: 34 (8, 9, 8, 9), Angela's highest score and sees them third on the leaderboard.

Storming the night were Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin with their near-perfect score, folllowed by Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola on 37 and Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington on 34. The other end of the leaderboard is Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer with 24, Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe on 27 and Angela Scanlan and Carlos Gu alongside Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima on 28.

That's Week 5 of Strictly done and dusted, with some harsh comments from the judges for many of the couples, but plenty of stars shining through. Who has your vote, and who will be going home tomorrow? Check back tomorrow to find out!