'Strictly' top 7: Dance by dance

Carol Smillie regained her "dark horse" status and Matt Dawson's dance was characterised as the "best" of the series so far on tonight's top 7 show.

Here's what happened, dance by dance:

Emma and Darren
Performed the cha-cha-cha to "All Right Now". Craig said he found the dance "a little bit disappointed," but praised Darren for the technical accuracy of the performance. Arlene prefixed her comments by saying that "the mouth" was "about to get tough." She agreed with Craig and said the performance "wasn't good enough," particularly with respect to Emma's hip action. "The pressure is on," she added. Even Len - restored from his grumpy turn last week - said that the pair didn't "wow" him; however, Bruno dismissed the comments from his fellow judges as being the result of "food poisoning or something."
Scores: Craig - 7; Arlene - 7; Len - 7; Bruno - 9: 30

Claire and Brendan
Performed the tango to "Ole Guapa". Starting off the judging, Len said Claire lacked passion, calling her performance "soft." Bruno agreed, saying that the pair "lacked chemistry." A bristling Brendan was cheered up when Craig said that he "must have been watching a completely different dance," adding that he "didn't know" what Len and Bruno were "talking about." A dispute then erupted amongst the panel, with Arlene backing up Craig's assessment; in the end, Brucie waded in with his whistle.
Scores: Craig - 8; Arlene - 8; Len - 6; Bruno - 7: 29

Mark and Karen
Performed the rumba to "I'll Be There Waiting For You". A screamer delayed Len's comments, which praised Mark's line. He encouraged Mark to "act it up a little bit more." Bruno described the rumba as being a "pressure cooker of... smouldering sex appeal," but said the dance was "a slow simmer." Craig said the performance was "passionless, blocky, disappointing," which Arlene agreed with.
Scores: Craig - 5; Arlene - 6; Len - 8; Bruno - 8: 27

Carol and Matthew
Performed the cha-cha-cha to "Dancing in the Moonlight". "The improvement is remarkable," said Arlene, who encouraged Carol to "come out bursting with confidence." Len also praised the performance, telling Carol that "the dark horse of the competition is back." Bruno said the dance was "full of good vibrations", while Craig added that he "liked the routine."
Scores: Craig - 7; Arlene - 7; Len - 8; Bruno - 8: 30

Peter and Erin
Performed the foxtrot to "Something's Gotta Give". Arlene praised Peter's "heart, soul and footwork" but called his body-line "cumbersome." Len told Peter: "Last week a beginner, this week a winner." Bruno said that tonight "was the return of the Flying Dutchman", while Craig said that Peter was "pigeon-toed" outside hold but "fabulous" once in it.
Scores: Craig - 6; Arlene - 6; Len - 7; Bruno - 7: 26

Louisa and Vincent
Performed the tango to "Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This". Arlene called the dance "fabulous," while Len said the pair "captured the flavour of the dance." Bruno said Louisa was "in full bloom", and Craig added that he "absolutely loved" the routine.
Scores: Craig - 8; Arlene - 9; Len - 9; Bruno - 9: 36

Matt and Lilia
Performed a waltz to "What A Wonderful World" and received universal praise from the judges. "Absolutely phenomenal," said Craig. "If you continue like this, you deserve a place in the final," added Arlene. "At my age, it takes a lot to get me excited," admitted Len, "and I never thought it would be a rugby player. It was the best dance I've seen this whole series."
Scores: Craig - 9; Arlene - 9; Len - 10; Bruno - 9: 37