STRICTLY star Chris McCausland may have failed to hit the heights he has reached on previous episodes tonight, despite a bold performance.

Chris McCausland and professional partner Dianne Buswell danced the paso doble as they made their appearance on this week's show, made extra-special by the attendance of Dianne's parents, who have flown in from Australia.

Chris, who is originally from Liverpool, previously lived in Hereford and attended the Royal National College for the Blind

The pair paraded across the stage in Spanish-inspired costumes, drawing huge applause.

But the judges scored today's dance more harshly than on previous occasions, despite handing a near perfect score of 39 to fellow contestant JB Gill a few minutes earlier.

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Craig Revel-Horwood said the dance was wonderful but lacked the smooth Spanish flair, while fellow judge Motsi Mabuse said she loved the intention and the commitment, even if in some places it was wrong.

Shirley Ballas said she was very impressed by the moves the pair had performed during the dance.

"You have telepathy between you when you move," she said.

And Anton Du Beke said it was a "Blackpool paso doble", but that it had been a "joy to watch".

The pair finished with a score of 33.