Ore Oduba tops the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard for the second week running
The star impressed the judges with his romantic waltz
Ore Oduba has topped the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard for the second week running.
The sports presenter wowed the judges with his waltz with dance partner Joanne Clifton, just a week after his showstopping jive.
With a score of 36, Ore secured the top spot, with Danny Mac hot on his heels with 35 for his rumba.
The BBC presenter has been going from strength to strength in recent weeks, and the judges were impressed with his versatility.
Craig Revel Horwood said: "I thought the phrasing was wonderful, there was a rise and fall, a bit of swing and sway, you are just absolutely incredible."
Darcey Bussell agreed, saying: "It’s calm and elegant, something with such control, it’s not easy.
"It still had great energy but there was lovely moments of stillness. Beautiful control."
Len Goodman added: "Quiet, calm and sophisticated.
"The waltz is a big, full on, flowing dance and you showed that. You are an incredible dancer."
Meanwhile Bruno Toniolo praised his partnership with Joanne, saying: "Love is in the air, it’s irresistible. You look so good together.
"What you have is a connection and chemistry which is outstanding. So wonderful to see. Every week you surprise me."
At the other end of the table, Ed Balls and his partner Katya Jones only scored 18 points for their American Smooth to Is This The Way to Amarillo? despite throwing in some daring lifts.
Bruno said: "You’re never going to join the Royal Ballet that’s for sure. I thought you were going to drop her.
"You always take us places I never expect. I think you can actually do it but you shouldn’t over stretch yourself."
Craig was even less impressed, giving Ed a measly two points after saying: "That was the antithesis of smooth. I felt you were fighting each other all the way through and absolutely no style outside of hold.
"You’re allowed three lifts and you did four, three of which were very good but the other one was horrific darling.
The pair tried out a daring lift but it didn't really go to plan
Darcey tried to be more positive, saying: "You did start incredibly well and the lifts you did achieve, you do have the strength to do it but the fact you stumbled is a shame.
"It’s a shame you were unable to recover out of it. I know you can do it."
Olympian Greg Rutherford also failed to impress the judges like he had in previous weeks with his cha cha, with Craig describing it as "stiff" and "awkward" before he was awarded a total of 24 points.
Darcey added: "You have accomplished so much every week, every dance is different.
"There will always be one dance that isn’t yours but you will come back stronger."
Len agreed with his colleagues, saying: "You didn’t look comfortable and confident and think that had a lot to do with it.
"But you did a good job, be proud of yourself."
However Louise Redknapp did a lot better with a score of 33 for her rumba, but the judges warned the former singer she was at risk of plateauing and needed to up her game to compete for the top spot.
Len said: "You are consistently good, but for me you are on a plateau, something has got to happen to give you that extra boost.
"You've got to come out and dance with that clarity and purity but also a little bit more wow."
Craig addded: "For me it lacked excitement I’ve got to admit, nothing dangerous about, very safe."
But in a snipe at the fact Louise and Kevin had headed to Paris to get in the mood for their rumba, he added: "But at least you got a free trip to Paris out of it darling."
However Darcey was more positive, saying: "It was one classy rumba, you bring out the best in her Kevin.
"I would love a little bit more tension when you caress the floor. You are going in the right direction but keep pushing it, extend yourself more."
Tonight's episode of Strictly was thrown into chaos after Laura Whitmore pulled out of the show just two hours before the show was due to go on the air.
The star announced she would not be on the show via a message on Twitter, revealing she was "absolutely devastated" by the last minute cancellation.
She and partner Giovanni Pernice have been given a 'bye' through to next weeks show, with Strictly bosses wishing her a speedy recovery.
Laura's exit from tonight's show is the second loss to tonight's performance after professional dancer Brendan Cole was also forced to pull out because of ill health.
His dance partner Anastacia danced instead with Gorka 'The Corker' Marquez, who previously appeared on this year's show with Tameka Empson.
Several other professional dancers, including Katya Jones and Anton DuBec, have also fallen ill with a mystery bug, but have been cleared for performing tonight.
Catch the results of tonight's Strictly Come Dancing, tomorrow at 6.30pm on BBC1.
Got a story? email digishowbiz@the-sun.co.uk or call us direct on 0207 782 4220