Susanna and Abbey nail first 10s as Strictly reaches Blackpool

The competition is hotting up in Strictly Come Dancing 2013, with both Susanna Reid and Abbey Clancy scoring their first perfect tens of the series during the annual Blackpool edition.

Saturday's show saw Susanna establishing herself as a serious contender as she took on Natalie Gumede at the top of the scoreboard, both scoring 39 each.

The BBC Breakfast presenter picked up tens from Len Goodman, Darcey Bussell and Bruno Tonioli for her feisty paso doble with partner Kevin Clifton - with only Craig Revel Horwood opting to give her a nine instead.

And her comments were similarly enthusiastic, with Craig delivering his trademark 'fab-u-lous' and Darcey Bussell telling her: "That was a wonderfully traditional paso doble...you ate up that dance floor."

Meanwhile Abbey Clancy scored tens from Len, Darcey and Bruno for her seaside-flavoured quickstep - but was marked down with just seven points from Craig.

Nonetheless - and despite criticising certain aspects of her performance, he told her: "Those are minor details...I absolutely loved it."

Bruno Tonioli, on the other hand, called the performance "a quickstep on pleasure beach".

It was also another good night for Natalie Gumede, who returned to the dancefloor after being taken ill before last weekend's show.

The former Coronation Street actress won big plaudits for her Charleston with Artem Chigvintsev, which saw her donning a 20s-style wig and performing to will.i.am's Bang Bang.

"It was like the Blackpool illuminations - spectacular!" Len Goodman remarked, while Bruno commented: "I tell you, your party could go on forever."

However Mark Benton and Fiona Fullerton potentially found themselves in the danger zone, after finishing joint last with 29 points each - while Casualty's Patrick Robinson missed out on scoreboard supremacy following an unfortunate wardrobe mishap.

The actor came a cropper during his samba with partner Anya Garnis after she became caught in the pink feathers on the back of her dress - leaving the judges disappointed.

"I've got to agree, you are one of the best," Craig said. "It's just unfortunate that tonight it all went horrible wrong."

However Len was kinder, telling him: "That's not a samba, that's a whamba!"

The results will be revealed on Sunday night's Strictly, with one more couple leaving the competition.