Props week, this week and, as you may have already seen in the news (it was a slow news day), Suzanne Shaw came a cropper. Such a cropper that it wasn’t certain she would skate.

But she did. In fact, she was out first. And for prop week this year they each had to skate with two props: Suzanne had the umbrella and the chair. In training, doing a handstand move on the chair, Suzanne not only cut her partner, Matt’s, eye, she also chipped a bone in her ankle. The routine had been adapted to ensure her ankle wasn’t permanently damaged, but I was still impressed that she came out and did it. She’s clearly incredibly brave and determined. I’m not a huge fan of props week – I generally find the props distracting rather than enhancing – but it was a lovely programme: entertaining and accomplished. Over the weeks of this competition I’ve remembered why Suzanne was my favourite in Popstars (doesn’t that seem like ages ago?).

Zaraah Abrahams’ props were a hula hoop and a cane. And was it just me or did Christopher Dean insinuate that Zaraah and Fred’s partnershiip might be more than professional, eh? Eh? I loved their routine. It was a little bit wobbly in places, but it was great fun and Zaraah and Fred looked like they were having the time of their lives. Plus there was a spin with the hoop and another on the canes, both of which were fabulous. They got their highest score so far.

Gareth Gates was also almost out of tonight’s competition … with a migraine. While it’s no chipped bone, I had a migraine once and I wanted to die, so I sympathise. He also had the cane, along with a hat. Interestingly, while he was talking about how the migraine had knocked his confidence, he was also stammering a little. Do you know after he was successfully treated for his own stammer, he trained as a speech coach in the same method (the McGuire Programme). I think he’s rather fabulous. Their programme wasn’t quite as flashy or showy as the previous two, but his skating looked flawless to me and I find I can’t not smile when I’m watching him. He also got his highest score so far.

I knew this competition had completely won me over when they announced that Chris Fountain has been training near me and my first thought was “When can I get over there to watch him?” His routine, with a table and suitcase – was utterly thrilling. I was laughing as I watched and I just couldn’t wait to see what they’d do next. He actually did a move – sliding under the table on the suitcase – that Christopher Dean knocked his teeth out doing in the past. I loved it. They got another great score.

In contrast to Suzanne, I’ve gone off Greg Rusedski – he seems very cocky considering he’s always been one of the weakest contestants. His partner, Kristina and both Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean frequently seem irritated by him. His props were a broom and the table. Although his skating has greatly improved, the routine was a bit boring. He still got his best score so far. Judge Jason Gardiner said that for once Greg wasn’t the most wooden on the ice because he had a table and a broom. Heh.

At the end, Chris and Frankie were top with Greg and Kristina bottom.

In the results show, Gareth was first through, followed by Chris, then Suzanne. It was a shame that Zaraah had to be in the skate-off, but once it’s down to so few contestants, it’s inevitable that someone good will be.

The good news was that I assumed the judges would save Zaraah and we’d finally see the back of Greg. Despite a mishap with the hoop at the beginning, Zaraah skated beautifully again. After skating, even Greg was fully convinced that he was the one going home.

Only Nicky Slater (under some kind of ice-induced dementia, apparently) saved Greg and so he was gone (lingering only to do a “death jump” over Kristina!). I’m kind of thrilled because that means the four best contestants are in the semi-final. I can’t wait.

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