Holding out for a hero... what is Ed trying to say to Labour?
ED BALLS took the Strictly stage by storm again last night – with a routine that could easily have been seen as a message to the embattled Labour Party.
The former Shadow Chancellor and his Russian-born partner Katya Jones delivered another frenetic performance when they danced the Paso Doble to the Bonnie Tyler hit Holding Out For A Hero.
The former Labour MP donned chainmail and a cape to take on the role of a knight who has to rescue his damsel from a dragon.
It left some wondering whether Balls pictured himself heroically riding to the rescue of Labour, which has been riven by turmoil under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership. Balls and Jones have become firm favourites with Strictly Come Dancing viewers – but the show’s judges have been harder to impress.
Despite their usual energy, the pair got a paltry 16 marks last night and the routine was savaged by all four members of the panel.
Balls was one of 12 celebrities who performed in last night’s show, the first since the shock departure of pop star Will Young. Presenter Claudia Winkleman said: ‘If you are watching, Will, we love you and wish you all the best.’
Sports presenter Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton brought the house down with a jive to Runaway Baby by Bruno Mars. An impressed Tonioli said: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, a star is born’ while Craig Revel Horwood told Oduba he was the contestant to beat. He was awarded three tens and scored a total of 39, the best tally of the series so far.
Just hours before taking to the stage, model Daisy Lowe, who has been photographed topless and in the nude during her career, said her antics on the dancefloor were far more terrifying than anything she has done in front of the camera.
Lowe, who is partnered with former Strictly champion Aljaz Skorjanec, said she had been particularly worried about dancing a sensual Rumba last night.