GEMMA Atkinson held her nerve as she danced the foxtrot on Strictly this evening.

Bury-born Gemma told viewers she had been nervous about performing the foxtrot since her partner, Aljaz Skorjanec, told her it was his favourite in week one.

The pair received 8s across the panel this week for their graceful dance routine, set to a slow version of Cher's Believe.

They were thrilled when judge Craig Revel Horwood compliment their routine.

He said: "The front runners in this competition need to start looking behind them."

Pairs received scores out of 30 this week because regular judge Bruno Tonioli was absent due to a busy schedule.

Gemma and Aljaz's score of 24 placed them joint third with couples, Mollie King and AJ Pritchard, Aston Merrygold and Janette Manrara and Jonnie Peacock and Oti Mabuse.

Debbie McGee topped the leaderboard with partner Giovanni Pernice, they scored 27.

In second place was Joe McFadden and Katya Jones, scoring 26.

Before the live show the radio presenter revealed she was struggling with this week’s foxtrot

She told Strictly’s spin-off It Takes Two: “It’s his favourite dance and it’s my least favourite.

“I don’t know what it is with ballroom, something happens.

"Like today on the dress rehearsal I was physically shaking with fear."