Kaz makes me so proud every week

Absolutely buzzing that Kaz made it through to the semis. I've heard people say she's the first footballer to do so, too, which makes it even more amazing! After her incredible Paso, Argentine Tango, Jive and Couple's Choice, she deserves her place and then some. Genuinely believe she's had the most stand-out performances to date (aside from Lewis), and she didn't deserve to go out because she didn't do a bad dance. A high score for a samba would be difficult for anyone to achieve, and I honestly think she smashed it, given what she had to work with.

I'm not going to lie, I was worried about her this week, and I was even more worried that there were scores of people commenting on her Instagram posts saying she desperately needed the votes because the samba is the "dance of death" / she'd been set up with a terrible song choice etc. I'm all for encouraging people to vote and having these conversations with fellow fans, but I don't understand why you would say that kind of stuff TO Kaz because I was terrified it was going to psych her out and add to her anxiety. However, if I've learned anything, it's to never underestimate Karen Julia Carney, because she will do everything in her power to prove you wrong.

I was honestly so thrilled with how her samba went, in spite of where she ended up on the leaderboard. She sold that dance like her life depended on it and impressed the hell out of me considering where she started from. She's really loosened up, as much as her back will allow her to, and when she started shaking her shoulders at the beginning of the routine and practically twerking towards the end of it, I was literally shouting "yes, Kazza!" at my TV. I was disappointed that Motsi gave her an 8 instead of a 9, but I appreciate there were a couple of mistakes - although she covered them really well. I actually thought she did a better dance than Lewis on the night (don't come for me).

I did crack up when she emerged in that outfit, though. You can't deny the woman has a fantastic sense of humour. And the song choice truly was awful - she said it was running on loop in her head at 2am on It Takes Two, and I can see why.

It also tickled me that they showed her practising in heels on ITT (on Thursday's epi), so she was clearly doing her best to wear them for the routine - and yet she somehow managed to sack them off again for the show itself. Something tells me she's putting that costume department through their paces, but I love that she's advocating for herself and taking Strictly by storm in trousers and flats if she can get away with it. I hope her arm is OK, though - noticed the tape and how she was clapping one-handed against her thigh near the end, but she was giving it some on the dance floor, so hopefully it's not serious.

I'm not going to comment on the opening number because I think the less said about that one, the better 😂 - but she knew she wasn't being scored and was probably saving her energy for her main performance, and boy, did she bring the energy.

I'm SO happy for Bal - she deserved a place in the semis. I do feel for Lewis because he was an incredible dancer who no doubt had a lot more to give, but I've got to admit, I find it so much more rewarding to watch people learn and grow over time and deliver show-stopping performances when no-one really expects them to, like Kaz's Paso. Everyone knew Lewis was going to be amazing every week, so even though he was objectively the best dancer (most of the time), I found it really hard to relate to/root for him.

So yep, another week down and I still absolutely adore Kaz and everything she's bringing to the table. Fingers crossed for the waltz next week and whatever else they throw at her!