Tinshui Yeung
Live page editor

No one has started dancing yet, but if you ask me, Nikita has already won the costume department.

Don’t forget, you can watch the programme with live signing.

Just press the red button or search for Signed: Strictly Come Dancing to find it on BBC iPlayer.

Week eight of Strictly is officially under way.

Just a reminder, you can watch live above, or tune in on BBC One or iPlayer.

There’s also a version available on iPlayer with British Sign Language.

Viewers on BBC One and iPlayer can watch with audio description and subtitles.

And, of course, if you stick around here, you’ll get all the text updates.

As the couples prepare to take to the dancefloor, here's a reminder of who is hoping to two-step their way to victory:

• TV star and broadcaster Vicky Pattison is paired up with Kai Widdrington
• Performer, singer and presenter La Voix, and her partner Aljaž Škorjanec
• Actor and former Love Islander Amber Davies, coupled with pro Nikita Kuzmin
• Award-winning actor Alex Kingston, and her partner Johannes Radebe
• YouTuber and podcaster George Clarke, with Alexis Warr - one of Strictly's two new pro dancers
• Karen Carney has swapped football boots for dancing shoes - she’s stepping on to the dancefloor with partner Carlos Gu
• Swapping Albert Square for the dancefloor, EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal is dancing with this year's other new pro Julian Caillon
• Actor Lewis Cope topped the leaderboard last week with partner Katya Jones

Image source, PA Media

It's been a busy time for one of the hosts, Tess Daly, who has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

After receiving the honour at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, Tess called it the "greatest honour" of her career.

She attended the ceremony with her family, and said the King put her at ease by talking about Strictly with her.

Tess has presented the prime-time show since the first series 21 years ago, but she and co-presenter Claudia Winkleman announced last month that they would be stepping down at the end of this series.

"I will miss it but I'm quite looking forward to a lie-in on Saturday morning - and new ventures in the new year," she said.

Vicky Pattison stole the show, waltzing off with the highest score of the night and just missing a perfect mark with 39 points for her Tango.

Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin’s fiery Samba, set to You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) by Sylvester, sizzled its way to 38 points.

EastEnders actor Balvinder Sopal’s Bhangra, performed to Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh’s Sapphire, brought the house down with a standing ovation.

YouTuber George Clarke was praised by Shirley for having "some of the best footwork" she’d seen in a Waltz. Lewis Cope delivered an energetic Cha Cha Cha and landed in joint third place alongside Lioness Karen Carney, both scoring 35 points.

Down at the other end of the leaderboard, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Alex Kingston both impressed the judges to earn 30 points - but were reminded that the devil is in the detail.

Bringing up the rear was La Voix, who found herself in the dance-off on Sunday with Harry Aikines-Aryeetey - although it was Harry who ended up heading home.

Before we get in to tonight's performances, one of our professional dancers has had some sad news to share.

Neil Jones, who isn't partnered with a celebrity but is taking part in the group dances this series, revealed yesterday that his dad David has died.

In a social media post, Jones paid tribute to his father, saying he "would be smiling looking down with a pint in his hand" after hearing tributes from family and close friends.

Replying to a slideshow of images, fellow Strictly professionals past and present - including dancer Nikita Kuzmin and Joanne Clifton - shared messages of support to Jones and his family.

"Sending so much love," ex-footballer Karen Carney writes, before competing tonight.

Noor Nanji
Culture reporter

Image source, PA Media

All of the celebrities will be doing their very best to stay in the contest this week – because next week, it’s Strictly’s Blackpool week, and NO ONE wants to miss that.

It takes place in the famous Tower ballroom, and there’s always so much excitement around it.

The dancefloor at Blackpool is enormous – much bigger than the one they usually dance on at Elstree – and there are other special elements too, from the decor to the dances.

For many Strictly celebs and professionals, getting to Blackpool week is a major goal.

Malu Cursino
Live reporter

It's week eight and we're feeling great.

Alright, that was a poor rhyme, but the rhythm in tonight's Strictly Come Dancing show is bound to get you tapping your cosy feet away.

In tonight's show the remaining eight celebrities will be doing their best to impress you at home - and the judges - and secure their spot for the renowned Blackpool week.

And of course, the glitterball is only five weeks away and competition is fierce. Last week was a success for Vicky Pattison, whose score was just shy of full marks. Her Tango, according to the judges, was her best dance so far and she was top of the leaderboard with 39 points.

But former Team GB sprinter and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey's journey came to an end after he was inched out during the dance-off with La Voix.

The couples are donning their costumes and buckling up their dancing shoes, so let's get started. Take your seat, grab a snack and be prepared to tune in right here when the show kicks off at 18:30.