This week there are only three teams left in the competition as Sam and Mark present the nail-biting semi-final. I wondered wether the Angels would have still been here had they not dropped out of the competition . With only two places available in next week’s final, the skaters had to dazzle us judges once again with their roller skills and dance moves.

This week, the remaining teams performed two routines in the Skate Stadium. Yet again they have to learn another dance routine and also perform one of their past routines again. When I arrived at the studio I went to the practice rink next door to see how everyone was doing and the atmosphere was one of concentration and dedication. I was continually impressed by how the teams had to push themselves once again to learn a new routine and dig out a previous routine. 7 days is not a long time to do all this when you have to go to school and work as well. I thought about all the families who were living through Skate Nation, anonymously behind the cameras supporting and accommodating every team member.

I loved the costumes this week and the theme of different countries. I didn’t know when Essence performed that their song was from the film Slum Dog Millionaire. The next day I happened to watch that movie and was instantly reminded of the music (and how I am always behind with all cultural things like films).

My ‘sporting expert’ look from BBC wardrobe consisted of lots of tight T-shirts and vests and the whiter than white trainers (which still hadn’t been worn outdoors). This week’s white vest felt very casual but in the heat of the studio that day (as Kevin used more tissues than ever before to mop his shinning head), I was glad to be in a vest and considerably cooler than the rest of the crew. It was the end of May and the weather had suddenly improved and it was difficult to stay indoors on such a sunny day. We all drank a lot of water. In between takes Kevin could easily down a small bottle of water in what seemed like a few gulps. I had to delicately try to drink through the layers of lipstick which involves a technique that Camilla showed me. I learned from an expert!

This week the roller entertainment was provided in a routine from The British Champion Artistic Skating duo Darren Dyke and Kirsty Chick. Watching them rehearse I was instantly taken back to my youth as an artistic skater (the skates, the sequined dresses….) I was extremely impressed how Darren and Kirsty adapted their exhibition routine to the relatively tiny space of the studio. Usually these skaters would practice and perform on proper sized rinks. Talking to them about where they trained and who their coach was I was again reminded of that other world. The position of artistic roller skating in this country is still fairly hidden from the general public (most people don’t know this discipline even exists and yet it is one of the oldest and most established of skating disciplines. In different countries it enjoys a much higher profile.

The girlie chat during make up started to turn into the inevitable laments that the show was coming to an end…only one more episode to go. THE SKATE NATION FINAL!