This must have been the most exciting Cirque de Celebrite to date. The competitiveness between Emma B and Grace has reached new heights with amazing performances from both girls. Each contestant had to perform using the 400kgm Russian Swing, with the second challenge coming from the judges, being past disciplines with the expectation of advanced manoeuvres.

When Emma opened on the straps, I thought ‘Nothing can beat this’, her performance was daring, flawless with new manoeuvres perfectly executed. Her lines were exquisite and showmanship second to none, or so I thought. She had stated that she was working hard to beat Grace again this week and earn a ten. From her first performance of the night, I was convinced she would. She did a daring neck hang after rising with multiple spins, posing at intervals. Great show with a very smooth ending. The judges said she had given a brave and very good performance with beautiful transitions earning a nine, eight and much hoped for ten giving her a total of 27

Next up was Andy Kane (who had wanted to give up last week), on the Russian swing. One of the trainers had taken him aside and told him to get back in there and make it work for him and not think of leaving. He was encouraged enough to state that he was going to give it 110%. After a good entrance and a troupe to help him, Andy swung out from the Russian Swing, pulled off a manoeuvre before making a messy landing. Back onto the Russian swing for a high somersault with a second untidy landing earning him a score of 21 out of thirty for a brave performance.

Kenzie on the aerial straps, takes judges comments very seriously and acts on their advice, hoping to make it to the semi finals. With only five couples left he realises he is going to have to work very hard. Once hooked up he swung around to the music, with an excellent flying start. Good lines but needed more of an angle to his body. Bit slow in get unstrapped. Next the bungee straps which hauled him right to the top of the tent where he executed dramatic manoeuvres Judges felt he had accomplished a bold performance with good showmanship, lines and strength but Philip Ghandi felt that it lacked talent. He received 23 points.

A confident, smiling Grace Adams-Short made a superbly elegant entrance and once strapped up, gracefully sprang onto the Russian Swing and astounded us with her daring triple somersault, nicely executed, little shaky in landing but finished the manoeuvre with graceful showmanship movements. With obvious excitement she returned to the dreaded Russian Swing to once again thrill us with further fearless manoeuvres ending back on the ground with splits. A stunning, fantastic performance with only her old enemy Judge Anne, finding something to criticise. The other judges said it was fabulous, good timing (essential), mastered perfectly and fearless. Yet she received a twenty five. Nine from Philip and eight from Anne and Louis. 25.

Jamie Baulch had the Cordelisse to contend with after a nice entrance. Fast spins, upside down, various manoeuvres, one hand spins and climbed the rope to wave with showman smiles after which he descended well. The judges felt he had not performed anything new as the routine was ‘old stuff’. After six weeks of training they expected more from him even though he showed wonderful grace, finesse and control. A bit of disagreement amongst the judges but to his disappointment, his overall score of twenty said it all.

Emma B on the Russian Swing was hurled twenty feet into the air with a sloppy pose and bad landing. With only two weeks to go, more is expected from the contestants. Although a clumsy and jarred performance Emma’s showmanship was excellent. In spite of the shoddy performance the judges said they loved watching her, good form, makes it look effortless, comfy in the air, good job etcetera. There is a definite bias here as no one could call it good. She was excellent in her first discipline but the second was more like a practice run. For that bad performance she was given a 24. Come on judges.

Andy’s second discipline was the aerial strap. He is very popular with the audience, receiving cheers and chanting his name which was very encouraging for him. A good strong performance earning him much praise from the judges who rewarded him with a well deserved twenty six.

The Russian Swing was Kenzie’s second discipline. Nice smooth mount, good swing and best landing tonight. His confidence has grown which was shown by a good somersault but bad landing. The judges were disappointed and gave him 21 points

A brilliant, romantic performance from Grace on the aerial strap with the Russian trainer. Many dangerous and daring feats were performed with grace pirouetting in the air and convincingly playing out a love story. Judge Philip said he only employed top artists for his circus and she would be his choice to be one of them. She received a ten and two nines putting her at the top, for the night, with fifty three points. Well deserved.

James did well in his second discipline with a good strong performance and excellent landing, earning 27points. Good performance and showmanship.

Final total points: Grace 53, Emma B 51, Andy and James 47 and Kenzie 44.

The public voted Kenzie and James into the bottom two and Grace (once again) had to choose who had to go. She chose surprisingly, chose James.

Only four competitors left and two weeks to go, who will make the finals.

This article was written by Evelyn Lewis, a contributor here at Unreality TV. Thanks Evelyn.