Under the Strictly Glitterball with Jamie Laing: 'We don't need an audience - we're loud enough'

Dancing the American Smooth with Karen to Frank Sinatra on Strictly 2020 is one of the best things I’ve ever done. So to find ourselves in the first dance-off was just awful. When those red lights came down on us in last week’s results show, I was like, “Sorry what!?”

I thought our American Smooth went well. My lines were ok and it felt, at least, pretty graceful. Craig Revel Horwood said I was a “smashing dancer” but then all the judges agreed that I had to work on it, so it was a bit of a contradiction. I think the judges are harsh.

When we had to dance again, against Jacqui and Anton, I was so worried that I’d forget the moves. My nerves really get a hold of me, but I didn’t want to look back on this experience and remember being nervous the whole time, so I just went out there to have fun. It felt much better on the second run because I was more relaxed and we were so relieved to get through to another week.

It was my birthday this week. I was training in the studio until late but managed to go for dinner with my girlfriend. She bought me a bottle of Tequila and some golf balls with my name on them. I tend to lose them so people are going to be finding balls all over the place with my name on! Speaking of golf, I know that Anton is a keen golfer and, my goodness, aren’t we going to miss him for the rest of the series? He’s so lovely and has the best posture and best teeth on a man I have ever seen.

We’ve all become such a little family, a cliché I know, but it’s true. Sometimes we forget that this is a competition. HRVY and Maisie have so much collagen and youth between them, but it’s definitely harder when you’re older and I thought Jacqui did so well. We’ll miss her too.

As we enter lockdown there are a few changes to the show and there now won’t be a live audience. It’s ok though as we’re a loud enough bunch ourselves. While we were all waiting backstage for the programme to start last Saturday [it was delayed due to Boris Johnson’s lockdown announcement], we were all whooping and cheering each other along so we’ll still bring the energy. In a way, it takes a bit of the pressure off and I can just concentrate on myself.

I called my gran this week and she’s been telling me all the things that I should and shouldn’t be doing on the dance floor. She adored my Frank Sinatra routine. But she’s not been voting because she doesn’t know how. Just pick up the phone, Granny! No wonder I was in the bottom two!

Last week, Karen burnt her hand really badly on a candle and her arm is in a bandage. She managed to cover it up by wearing elbow-length gloves for our American Smooth. It’s still really sore, but she’s such a trooper and just carries on. Luckily, she can bring out the gloves again this week because we’re dancing the Charleston.

And let me tell you, it’s like a HIIT workout. It’s one and a half minutes long and I don’t breathe throughout the whole dance. There’s lifts and twists and no room to rest. But, saying that, it's right up my street as I like the more energetic routines.

It’s been nearly a month of dancing now so my body is starting to feel it. Every day I burn an average of 3,500-4,000 calories. And 25-30,000 steps. Every. Single. Day. I’m starting to see a difference in my body and I’ve lost a bit of weight.

We’re performing our Charleston to Zero to Hero from the Disney film Hercules. I love Disney more than anything. Yep, I said it. More than anything. The Fox and the Hound is my all-time fave, but I think the producers saw a real resemblance between Hercules and myself: we’re both demi-gods and incredibly strong and muscly. I’ve also got a horse called Pegasus… Y’know, it’s basically me. And don’t forget we have the same hair!

Seriously though, I’m trying to get into the mindset of Hercules. I bought a brand new gym top the other day and cut the sleeves off as I thought it would look better. It doesn’t. I also told the wardrobe guys that they could just oil me up and we’d be away, but weirdly I think they’re putting me in a bodysuit and sandals.

So we’re holding nothing back for this one. And like I said last week – if I’m in that dance-off again, I’m gonna do a Donald Trump and get the courts involved. I’m hoping that Zero to Hero is basically going to be my Strictly journey. Let’s pray to those mythical Gods!

Jamie Laing was talking to Rachel Ward

Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One on Saturday and Sunday at 7.25pm

• Who will win Strictly Come Dancing 2020? Predict the winner here