It didn't seem possible that the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing could beat the drama caused by John Sergeant's comedy dancing on last year's competition, but it's now safe to say it has. From Jade Johnson's tragic exit from the show due to injury to Craig Kelly's Blackpool campaign, the series so far has been more of a feisty samba than an American smooth.
As the competition reaches its final stages, with just Ali Bastian, Ricky Whittle, Natalie Cassidy, Laila Rouass and Chris Hollins left on the dancefloor, we find out what famous viewers and participants think of the show so far.
:: Justin Lee Collins, TV presenter and funnyman
"Strictly is my favourite programme, I love it. I watch it religiously. Ali Bastian's wonderful. I think, if I had to name a winner based on quality of the performance, it has to be her. Ricky Whittle is also excellent and I think Laila Rouass and Anton Du Beke are getting better week on week, and she is stunning, absolutely stunning. So I think it's pretty open, there are three couples who could win it."
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:: Ali Bastian, actress and Strictly Come Dancing 2009 contestant
"The standard is so high and it's getting harder, they keep coming back every week and raising the bar so we've all got to work hard."
:: Brian Fortuna, Ali Bastian's Strictly Come Dancing professional dance partner
"It's very flattering to be tipped for the final but it's one week at a time for us, we focus on that."
:: Laila Rouass, actress and Strictly Come Dancing 2009 contestant
"We could make the final, why not? The trick is to be positive and not think 'ooh we're not going to make it, it could be our last week on.' Every week could be our last week on, we're fully aware of that but you have to go out there each week and give it your all, and I think we've got a good enough chance as anyone else."
:: Anton Du Beke, Laila Rouass' Strictly Come Dancing professional dance partner
"Why not indeed? I completely agree with Laila."
:: Ulrika Jonsson, TV personality and Make A Wish Foundation ambassador
"I'm full of admiration for people who take part in Strictly Come Dancing, I think it's amazing but I don't think that would be something for me. It's been almost quite clear from the beginning that Ali Bastian and Ricky Whittle were going to be in the final. Ali is a beautiful dancer, she's incredible but she needs to stop looking so coy. She looks like a little Bambi. But I would love to see her or Ricky in the final. I'm glad Ali hasn't left the show because of her injury, otherwise there wouldn't have been any competition."
:: Dominic 'Dom' Wood, children's TV presenter
"I would like to see - I know it's not down to the best dancer - but personality-wise I think Natalie's great. She's got a great personality and I think she's coming across the best out of all of them so far. I hope she wins."
:: Kelly Brook, actress, presenter and former Strictly contestant
"I haven't watched it this year because I'm doing eight shows a week for Calendar Girls, which I'm quite grateful for actually because I know the nation gets consumed by these shows and they become your life, so I'm lucky I'm in the theatre every Saturday night and I don't get to see them. I don't really have any favourites but I am looking forward to going on The Strictly Come Dancing live tour with them next year. We start rehearsing for it in January and I can't wait."
:: Tom Chambers, actor and Strictly Come Dancing 2008 champion
"I hope Natalie Cassidy does well, otherwise Ricky Whittle and Ali Bastian have both got it going big time, haven't they? I think they'll make the final."
