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Oh what a night it was on Saturday, there was no shortage of drama on the dancefloor as our marvellous men battled it out. And what a macho bunch they were. Is it just me or are they looking more delicious by the minute. Storming their way through dramatic tangos and jaunty jives.

Cutting a dashing figure on the dancefloor, I loved Andrew's highly-original head butting, rock and roll tango. After a hellish make or break week in training, Andrew felt the fear and did it anyway. He admitted teacher Ola had literally dragged the performance out of him, refusing to take 'I can't' for an answer.

And how delightful was Andrew's confession of night time naked tango practices. With his tango steps running through his head, unable to sleep, he leapt out of bed in the altogether to keep dancing. And that for a man who probably gets about 4 hours less sleep than the rest of us already. Now that's what I call commitment to the cause.

Then there was the jolly godfather, John, determined at all costs to enjoy himself on the dancefloor. He smiled rather than snarled his way through a not so macho tango - perhaps more of a tea dance, but as Bruno said, somehow it worked!

Then marvellous Mark melted more female hearts when he finally pulled off the passionate side of the performance necessary for the tango during the dance off.

On hearing the judges comments, he allowed himself to get into the emotion of the dance. Not an easy task for a chap, who by his own admission, is used to having his head underwater, swimming as fast as he can, rather than having to entertain and perform in front of an audience.

Not easy when coupled with the fact that he is excruciatingly shy. But hello, we've witnessed such a great transformation before, I'm thinking series 4 champion Mark Ramprakash. In the first few weeks, Mark was like a rabbit caught in the headlights and wouldn't utter a peep. Then suddenly, right before our very eyes, bang, he found his dancing feet and his Latin love-god alter ego and a dancing star was born.

In a dance perfectly suited to his acting skills, the Don fought back from the aftermath of the dance off and emerged as a triumphant tango star of Saturday night. And it was a role he pulled off with aplomb, putting him in third place with the judges and a very excited Arlene.

Our jive-hoppers, Tom and Austin, fought it off with Austin coming out on top by just 1 point. And oh Austin, what about those arms?! That two stone he has lost certainly hasn't gone from there. Oh no. Reluctantly he flexed his muscles back stage just for the benefit of us girls and, wow!, those little beauties are a vote-winner all by themselves.

Austin's jive was mind-blowing. He later admitted that he had no idea he could kick so high. And his jaunty little show at the judges table was a wicked delight. Austin went all out to look the part in his performance on Saturday. And his wife later commentated on her husband submitting to his very first spray tan, saying he looked like he'd been tangoed!

Tom announced that he'll be holding his stag party at Strictly in two weeks time. That'll be a first and I'm sure it'll make for an exciting night in the studio.

I say, you might as well accept it boys - it doesn't matter how macho you are, and you might fight it at the beginning, but trust me - the tan, the shaved chest, the tight lycra and the sequins will always win in the end. Our lads will always succumb to the lure of the "Strictly Sparkle". And before they know it, it will be second nature and they will be begging for more.

The gorgeous girls had it going on in their group swing and their pure enjoyment of the dance was a joy to watch. You see, I'll let you into a little secret, that's half the battle. You've got to enjoy it and smile - always smile - while you are dancing and your audience will smile right along with you.

It might be my turn to smile soon or perhaps it will be more of a grimace, only time will tell, as I attempt to turn dance-pupil in the name of charity for a one-off performance for Children in Need. And oh the terror! Why did I ever say yes? On the bright side of things, at least I have a wonderful teacher and Anton has assured me that whatever the outcome we will stay friends…eek. Well he's saying that right now.

After 2 weeks at the bottom of the judges leaderboard we saw Gary bow out of the competition, his determination and drive on the dancefloor sadly not paying the desired dividends with the judges who voted him off unanimously.

Well I'll see you next week when it will be the ladies turn and there will be more girl on girl action on the dancefloor. That's right, something tells me it's going to be hot.

Tess' Take - week two

Tess' Take - week one