Ed Balls is sailing through to the next round of Strictly Come Dancing having managed to avoid the dreaded dance-off once more.

Eastern Daily Press: Katya Jones and Ed Balls wowed the judges with his routine (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)Katya Jones and Ed Balls wowed the judges with his routine (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy) (Image: WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digital Picture Service (BBC Pictures) a...)

The former Shadow Chancellor impressed the judges with his slapstick quickstep which he performed to The Beatles' Help!

Last night Ed and his partner Katya Jones amassed an impressive 27 points, their best score of the series, for their Laurel and Hardy-inspired routine.

Eastern Daily Press: It's game over for Giovanni Pernice and Laura Whitmore (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)It's game over for Giovanni Pernice and Laura Whitmore (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy) (Image: WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digital Picture Service (BBC Pictures) a...)

'When you travelled, the lightness in your feet… that was not what I was expecting!' said judge Darcey Bussell.

Bruno Tonioli even went as far as to say the dance was a 'recognisable quickstep'.

Eastern Daily Press: (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)(Picture: BBC/Guy Levy) (Image: WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digital Picture Service (BBC Pictures) a...)

'I can't believe I'm actually saying this. You're actually improving – it was brilliant to see,' he added.

Sadly Laura Whitmore's time on the BBC ballroom dancing show came to an end this evening after she lost out to Ore Oduba at the final hurdle.

Laura and her dance partner Giovanni Pernice failed to impress the public with their Samba, whhich saw the pair fall out of sync on last night's show.