And so it's goodbye to Oxo Mum and Colgate Boy

For a lady of a "certain age" I think Lynda did herself proud. She outstayed the likes of Esther Rantzen, Gloria Hunniford, Stephanie Beacham and Gillian Taylforth (all of whom were cast in that role in previous series), and arguably outperformed younger pretenders such as Fiona Phillips, Georgina Bouzova, Jan Ravens and Kate Garraway.

I can't help but wonder what might have happened if Darren and Lynda had had proper tango and paso music (especially for tango, her first dance). I saw a clip on YouTube of them training without any music, and it looked so much better than her actual performance. I guess nerves can, and do, play a large part, but some authentic tango movement, with a much stronger, sharper rhythm, could have helped Lynda with her characterisation, and her technique.

I wonder if producers in TV la la land will be rubbing their hands with glee saying "told you so - these outspoken viewers calling for older women on TV. We give 'em one and look what happens - booted out by the Great British Public.Back to afternoon telly you go, all you women over 50!"

I must admit I was a little surprise by the tone of Lynda and Darren's exit. Darren was very frank and forthcoming in his views, which I have never heard from him before (mind you, unlike James, Brendan and Erin, he has usually been on the "right side" of the judges' favour). I was also surprised when Claudia started the interview with "I didn't expect to see you sitting here on a Monday". Well, with the voting going as it is, and always has done, there was a very high likelihood of Lynda and Darren either being on the couch as the couple voted out on a Monday, or the couple saved on a Tuesday. Seriously, unless there had been a real shock bottom two, who else was it going to be?

I was also surprised, and a little disappointed, to hear Darren so adamant that he, and other professionals whose opinions he had canvassed, had thought that Craig and Flavia had danced worse in the dance off. (And this was reinforced later by Craig Devil Borewood). Honestly, what is that going to do to Craig Kelly's confidence? His nerves are already probably the worst in the competition, but the threeline party whip on ITT suggesting he should have been voted off is likely to just about finish him off.

I like Darren very much on SCD, (although he can sometimes be a bit Goody Two Shoes)but was left feeling that a little more grace from someone who has previously placed 1st, 3rd and 4th in the competition would be a little more fitting. More like Lilia and Matt, than Aliona if you like. Any more of that behaviour and I may be reduced to making wig jokes (well have you seen a hairline like Darren's anywhere else?)

A far more upbeat and interesting section was another peep behind the scenes, this time with the lighting team. (I am so happy that ITT have cut the endless recapping of the weekend's events and are sticking with a longer behind the scenes look). Well, I never - 176 moving lights and 600 LEDS. That is the sort of fact that keeps my inner geek in seventh heaven! That whole segment really highlighted (sorry!) how seamless the planning and execution of the lighting design is, and how immediately apparent it would be if the slightest thing went awry.

I loved seeing the lighting guys poring over a colour chart of the ladies' dresses so that they can match not just the mood and feel of the dance, but the colour scheme of the costumes. Apparently, Flavia was wearing heamatite. That just goes to prove that you can learn something new every day, but sending the most gorgeous of the female pros out bedecked in a three syllable colour still doesn't make it right. A two syllable colour will do next time, thank you.

It was also mind boggling to realise the amount of behind the scenes activity that goes on between the voting lines closing and the results being announced, even more so when you realise how little time there is. Someone one behind the scenes needs to sort out the order of annoucements of the saved couples (given the severe lack of time, maybe the order of announcements isn't quite so random after all?), and then give cues to the camera operators and the lighting team. With so much pressure and split second timing, it is amazing that it never goes wrong on a live show (touch wood).

All in all, it was fantastic to see more of the unsung behind the scenes heroes, and to get a feel for just how much skill and work goes into giving us the finished, polished product. Shame that with so many front of house shenanigans, attention gets detracted from the achievements of those backstage who never put a foot wrong!