Strictly Come Dancing pro Neil Jones finally made his return to the dancefloor on Saturday after being forced to miss two weeks with injury.
The British pro stormed the floor as he danced the jive with Alex Scott to Let’s Twist Again by Chubby Checker.
It came as the remaining eight couples took to the floor to earn enough votes to make it to the famed Tower Ballroom.
He’s back! Strictly Come Dancing pro Neil Jones finally made his return to the dancefloor on Saturday after being forced to miss two weeks with injury
Alex and Neil completed their routine to a thunderous reception from the audience, including stand-in pro Kevin Clifton, who proudly cheered the pair from the balcony.
The couple also earned praise from the judging panel, which Motsi Mabuse comparing Alex’s change in partners to an ‘affair.’
She added: ‘I feel like we’re seeing a new couple that we knew but then somebody had an affair but now the light is back on.
‘You guys feel fresh, young, jolly, you know what I mean so actually, I love the improvement in your body I felt it was very compact. No awkward moments you were always in the dance. It’s happening.’
Grand return: The British pro stormed the floor as he danced the jive with Alex Scott to Let’s Twist Again by Chubby Checker, after being given the go-ahead by physio to perform
Head judge Shirley Ballas added: ‘I thought you did very very well, Alex you had some really nice short connections you were light on your feet.
‘You do look like you’re having the time of your life every single step you’re giving us reassurance that you need to stay in the competition.’
Alex and Neil’s routine was reflected with a respectable score of 31 points out of 40.
Dynamic: For two weeks Alex danced with stand-in pro Kevin Clifton, who was proudly cheering on the pair during the live show
Cheeky: Noting Neil’s break from the show, Motsi said: ‘I feel like we’re seeing a new couple that we knew but then somebody had an affair but now the light is back on’
On Friday Neil confirmed that he would be returning to the Strictly dancefloor, after being given the go-ahead by the show’s physio.
Speaking on It Takes Two Alex said: ‘I now know who I’m dancing with. Are you ready? Shall we bring him in? It is … I am dancing with, my normal partner Neil Jones! He is back, yes.’
And Neil added: ‘It’s great to be back. She’s been doing so well every week, and Kevin I have to say thank you, because Kevin has been there all the way and he’s been great this week. We couldn’t had done it without him.’
Sweet: Alex and Neil’s chemistry was once again praised, as Motsi added that it felt like they were seeing a ‘new couple’ on the floor
Their appearance comes after Neil told a fan on Twitter that he wouldn’t know until Friday whether he is fit enough to perform with Alex during the live show.
Replying to a follower on social media on Wednesday, Neil said: ‘Hey no it’s just with my injury I need to be 100% fit and I will only know this on Friday when back in with the physio but trust me I want to be back.’
On Monday, Neil told fans it’s looking ‘positive’ he will return to Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday to dance with his partner Alex.
Sensual: Mike Bushell and Katya Jones were hoping to bounce back from the dance-off last week, with a traditional Paso Doble to Tamacun by Rodrigo y Gabriela
Mike Bushell and Katya Jones were hoping to bounce back from the dance-off last week, with a traditional Paso Doble to Tamacun by Rodrigo y Gabriela.
Despite a sensual feel and clever footwork, the judges noted that the dance was ‘too rigid,’ with Bruno Tonioli saying the performance felt like ‘connecting the dots.’
Craig Revel-Horwood added: ‘The shaping at the top showed great promise it was when you started to walk it all went horribly wrong, it was rigid, too placed and absolutely no flow I’m afraid.’
The pair’s mixed reception earned them a score of just 25 points out of 40.
Disastrous: Despite a sensual feel and clever footwork, the judges noted that the dance was ‘too rigid,’ with Bruno Tonioli saying the performance felt like ‘connecting the dots’
Tragic: The pair’s mixed reception earned them a score of just 25 points out of 40
Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden were hoping to replicate their success last week which saw them finish top of the leaderboard.
The pair took to the floor with a Viennese Waltz to Give Me Love by Ed Sheeran, but unfortunately the CBBC star made a slight blunder that left the pair entangled.
Shirley said: ‘When you got in hold unfortunately it looked a little bit uncomfortable, the footwork wasn’t great so it didn’t enhance the rest of the body, your frame you’re starting to maintain a little bit more, but come back next week even stronger.’
Elegant: Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden were hoping to replicate their success last week with a Viennese Waltz to Give Me Love by Ed Sheeran
Oh dear! Unfortunately the CBBS star made a slight mistake that left him in tears, as he told Claudia he was ‘gutted’ to have messed up the routine
Motsi added: ‘I was still impressed, you did right in front of us you had a spin and you stopped and picked up the time which is not easy at all.
‘The way you moved the arms, that were quite quite strong, for me you are still the one to beat in this competition.
‘Don’t let the pressure get to you, you have a great great performance just a little bit nervous today.’
Sadly the fallout of his mistake left Karim on the brink of tears, as he told host Claudia Winkleman that he was ‘gutted’ to mess up one of the moves.
Regardless the pair still scored 30 points out of 40, with the hope that it would be enough to make it through to Blackpool.
Supportive: Regardless the pair still scored 30 points out of 40, with the hope that it would be enough to make it through to Blackpool