Strictly's Anastacia performs her best dance yet with new partner Gorka as she gives message to ill Brendan Cole to get well soon

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There was a dramatic build up to Strictly's week five show, with claims that six of the pro dancers were ill as Brendan Cole and Laura Whitmore dropped out.

But there was no sign of aching heads and runny noses when Saturday's bonanza kicked off.

Singer Anastacia was the surprise of the show as she got her highest score yet with new partner Gorka after Brendan Cole was made to sit out with a lung infection.

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Dark horse: Singer Anastacia was the surprise of the show as she got her highest score yet

Anastacia performed to My Kind Of Town by Frank Sinatra and managed to impress the judges.

'I don't want to upset Brendan but that was your best dance yet,' joked judge Len Goodman. 

Craig Revel Horwood was a little harsher but still positive: 'You need body contact and that's what makes it difficult. It was very light - you flew across the stage and you performed it.'

Delighted Anastacia, who scored 7, 7, 8 ,8 for a total of 30, revealed: 'I'm so lucky to be able to dance with two pros let alone one,' and she gave a message to her bedbound partner Brendan: 'Get busy we got to go to work next week.' 

Delight: The star was all smiles as she danced with her new partner - to the joy of the judges

On point: Anastacia performed to My Kind Of Town by Frank Sinatra with her new partner Gorka - and got her highest score yet

Back on track: Anastacia gave a message to her bedbound partner Brendan: 'Get busy we got to go to work next week

Fun and games: 'I don't want to upset Brendan but that was your best dance yet,' joked judge Len Goodman

Judge Rinder and Oksana opened the show with a jumping Jive to Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by The Andrews Sisters.

They were introduced after presenters Claudia and Tess wished Laura Whitmore a speedy recovery as she rests her ankle injury.

After their vibrant performance, Len was positive, saying: 'He impressed me immensely... It was like the history of jive, full of energy, full of enthusiasm.' 

Bruno Tonioli was also upbeat, saying: 'You were bouncing around... you weren't just dancing you were erupting.'  

Craig said: 'It was a little flat  - there needs to be more precision. But I did love the one-handed cartwheel.' 

Dancing first were Judge Rinder and Oksana who peformed a Jive to Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by The Andrews Sisters

After their vibrant performance, Len was positive, saying: 'He impressed my immensely... It was like the history of jive, full of energy, full of enthusiasm'

Impressive: The audience was loving Judge Rinder's energy 

'The kicks were a bit high but I loved it,' said Darcy Bussell. Judge Rinder scored 6, 6, 8, 7 for a total of 27.

Next up were Lesley and Anton who danced the Tango to the Gotan Project version of Whatever Lola Wants.

Bruno had some constructive criticism, saying: 'I love your intensity but a lot of the steps you messed up - it becomes skippy.'

Craig was scathing, saying:' There were stumbles, you were going up and down throughout the whole thing. I don't think this is a dance for you.'

 Having a blast: Judge Rinder seemed to enjoy his routine

Go for it: Judge Rinder scored 6, 6, 8, 7 from the judges who were largely impressed

Lesley scored 5, 6, 7, 6 for a weak total of 24.

After Lesley's disappointment came Greg and Natalie who danced the Cha Cha to We Found Love by Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris.

But unfortunately Greg failed to impress the judges, struggling through his routine.

Unlucky: Lesley Joseph failed to impress the judges with her Tango to the Gotan Project version of Whatever Lola Wants

Craig was scathing, saying:' There were stumbles, you were going up and down throughout the whole thing. I don't think this is a dance for you.'

Struggling: Greg and Natalie danced the Cha Cha to We Found Love by Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris

Craig was brutal about Greg: 'It looked very stiff. You are bow of leg which makes you an Olympic champion but this dance exposed all the stuff that you can't do sadly.'

Craig was brutal: 'It looked very stiff. You are bow of leg which makes you an Olympic champion but this dance exposed all the stuff that you can't do sadly.'

Darcy let Greg down gently, saying: 'There will always be one dance that isn't yours and this was it.' He scored 4, 6, 7, 7 for a total of 24.

Then Louise Redknapp wowed with her Rumba scoring 8, 8, 8, 9 for a total of 33 points, which topped the leaderboard until Ore later nabbed top spot.

French themed: Louise wowed the audience with her Rumba to the Michael Buble version of Always on My Mind

Impressing: Louise Redknapp wowed with her Rumba scoring: 8, 8, 8, 9 for a total of 33 points

Promising: Louise topped the leaderboard until Ore later nabbed top spot

Then came the dance the audience had all been waiting for - Ed Balls performing the American Smooth to (Is This The Way To) Amarillo by Tony Christie

Harsh words: The former Shadow Chancellor was savaged by the judges

Smiling star: Ed was enjoying his time on the dance floor, despite his haphazard moves

Next came the dance the audience had all been waiting for - Ed Balls performing the American Smooth to (Is This The Way To) Amarillo by Tony Christie.

But the former Shadow Chancellor was savaged by the judges.

Bruno was harsh, saying: 'One thing's for sure, you're never going to join the Royal Ballet. I thought you were going to drop her but a Titanic effort.' 

Then Craig chipped in: 'It was the antithesis of smooth, plodding, pedestrian, fighting each other, one too many lifts including an horrific one.'

Ed had a fiery reply of his own though: 'It's a really good lift - I could do it to you as well I think - we could try that in the bar I think.'

The former Labour MP scored 2, 6, 6, 4 for a measly total of 18 points. 

Bruno was harsh, saying: 'One thing's for sure, you're never going to join the Royal Ballet. I thought you were going to drop her but a Titanic effort'

Consistent: Ore and Joanna once again wowed the audience, waltzing to Claudia Streza's version of I Will Always Love You by Dolly Parton

Top scorer: He scored 9 from each judge, to top the board with 36 points

Len added: 'The trouble with hitch-hiking is you always get a dodgy lift. There were some terrific steps but it was a rotten shame that your big moment went pear-shaped'.

Next Ore and Joanna once again wowed the audience, waltzing to Claudia Streza's version of I Will Always Love You by Dolly Parton.

Craig had high praise, saying: 'You're just incredible' while Darcey called it 'calm, controlled and elegant.'

Len described the dance as 'quiet and sophisticated,' while Bruno said 'you have outstanding connection and chemistry'.

Ore scored 9 from each judge, to top the board with 36 points. 

Improving: Daisy Lowe and Aljaz also impressed with a Charleston to Happy Feet by Manhattan Rhythm Kings

Happy days: The model scored eight from each judge to give her highest score of the competition so far - 32 points

Daisy Lowe and Aljaz also impressed with a Charleston to Happy Feet by Manhattan Rhythm Kings. 

The model scored eight from each judge to give her highest score of the competition so far - 32 points.

Meanwhile, actor Danny Mac and Oti performed a rumba to Sam Smith's version of How Will I Know by Whitney Houston.

Danny received some good noises from the judges, with Len saying: 'Dan the man, it was strong and masculine, to the point where it got staccato in places, lovely jubbly steps, a consistently excellent dancer.' He scored 8, 9, 9, 9 - moving him into second place behind Ore with 35 points.

Having a blast: Danny Mac and Oti performed a rumba to Sam Smith's version of How Will I Know by Whitney Houston

Star: Danny received some good noises from the judges, with Len saying: 'Dan the man, it was strong and masculine

And finally, Claudia Fragapane and partner AJ wowed the audience with their Samba to Young Hearts Run Free' by Candi Staton.

But the judges thought the gymnast was rushing the music, pushing ahead of the beat. 

Bruno said: 'I wanted to join in but don't rush, chase and get ahead of the music' and Craig added: 'you were like a tornado'. Claudia scored 8, 7, 8, 9 for a total of 32.

Claudia Fragapane and partner AJ wowed the audience with their Samba to Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton

Bruno said: 'I wanted to join in but don't rush, chase and get ahead of the music' and Craig added: 'you were like a tornado'. Claudia scored 8, 7, 8, 9

Before the show Laura Whitmore was been forced to pull out due to an ankle injury.

The 31-year-old TV presenter will not be performing her jive with partner Giovanni Pernice after being advised by the show's doctors to rest.

Taking to Twitter today, the Irish beauty said: 'Absolutely Devastated... It was a decision taken out of my hands. If it was my choice, I'd be on the dance floor doing my jive with Gio.  

Bowing out: Laura Whitmore, a 31-year-old TV presenter, did not perform her jive with partner Giovanni Pernice after being advised by the show's doctors to rest her injured joint