Rise and fall

So, we are halfway through Strictly 2017, and last night's overnight figures gave the show an average audience of 10.47m (51.3% share). Despite anxieties about the quality of this year's celebs and the arrival of scouser Shirley Ballas as head judge, that's up on last year, when the Bonfire Night show returned 9.70m (46.2%).

For those of us who find Ms Ballast's on-screen persona already a little too familiar, nay cocky, there will be rows tomorrow over a split judging decision - the first of this series....