This first proper competitive show gave us a chance to assess the ‘new normal’ on Strictly – and, for the most part, it worked absolutely fine. Yes, the performances felt a little muted without a raucous studio audience, but that also meant far less pantomime booing and cheering during judges’ comments and scoring, which was a welcome change. I also rather liked the camera cutting to our couples, sat at their tables in the studio, which kept them involved throughout. As the competition heats up, it’ll create a fascinating game of “Who’s genuinely happy for someone else’s success, and who’s absolutely seething behind that pasted-on smile?”.

Read my full Dancing Times blog here