The Scottish Mail on Sunday

After last week’s horror show, Balls and Katya show some real chemistry

- By Chris Hastings

IT’S not the first time Ed Balls has given the Strictly judges the fright of their lives.

But the former Shadow Chancellor had good reason for his scary appearance when he took to the dancefloor for last night’s Halloween special.

Balls donned a lab coat and thick goggles, and sported wild hair as he dressed as a mad professor to perform a Cha Cha with partner Katya Jones to the song Love Potion Number 9 by Hansel Martinez.

Balls who has been singled out in previous weeks of the show for his ‘mincing’ moves and ‘camp’ choreograp­hy threw himself into a cheeky routine about a hapless boffin who takes a mysterious love potion he has created.

The number was something of a return to form for the couple after Balls almost dropped Jones in the middle of a lift on last week’s show.

More than ten million viewers were expected to tune into the Halloween special, which is one of the highlights of the Strictly series.

The lavish show saw the comebacks of two favourites who have been out of action due to injury.

Veteran profession­al dancer Brendan Cole was reunited with

Halloween special pulled in 10million viewers

PS Brendan and Laura bounce back from their sick beds

singer Anastacia for their Jive to Meat Loaf’s Bat Out Of Hell.

His absence the previous week meant she had to dance with another profession­al.

Irish TV presenter Laura Whitmore and her partner Giovanni Pernice danced a tango to Paint It Black by the Rolling Stones.

They were unable to perform last week after Whitmore suffered an ankle injury.

Whitmore said: ‘It was really hard to watch the show at home. I am just so happy to be back and dancing.’

Reality TV star Judge Rinder gave Balls a run for his money in the scene-stealing stakes.

Rinder, dressed as a moth, appeared to fly on to the stage before joining partner Oksana Platero for their Paso Doble to Born This Way by Lady Gaga.

Sports presenter Ore Oduba, who is red-hot favourite to win the show, danced the Charleston to I Want Candy by Bow Wow Wow.

His nearest rival, Danny Mac, danced the Foxtrot but he had to apologise for a routine that was littered with mistakes.

 ??  ?? IN THE MIX: ‘Professor’ Balls in his lab with Katya REACTION: Ed and Katya do the Cha Cha BLACK LOOK: Laura and Giovanni last night WINGING IT: ‘Moth’ Judge Rinder’s Paso Doble with Oksana BATTY: Brendan and Anastacia do the jive
IN THE MIX: ‘Professor’ Balls in his lab with Katya REACTION: Ed and Katya do the Cha Cha BLACK LOOK: Laura and Giovanni last night WINGING IT: ‘Moth’ Judge Rinder’s Paso Doble with Oksana BATTY: Brendan and Anastacia do the jive

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