WATCH: 'Irish stallion' Daniel O'Donnell tackles Charlston on Strictly Come Dancing

Daniel O'Donnell and Kristina Rihanoff on Strictly Come Dancing

It looks like Daniel O'Donnell may have secured passage to next week on Strictly Come Dancing with a solid stab at the Charleston in last night's show.

Daniel (53) and partner Kristina Rihanoff gave a light-footed performance of the 1920s dance with a horse racing theme prompting positive responses from the judges.

Bruno Tonioli said he had waned towards the end of his 90 second dance and Daniel joked, "This is a 53-year-old horse you're talking about!".

Tonioli went on to say he "nearly placed at Ascot" but had to be "more than steady.  You need to go full gallop all the time.  You gotta keep it going."

Craig Revel Horwood, who is notoriously harsh on contestants, started by advising Daniel to go higher up on his toes and watch his free arm but added, "You have fantastic rhythm and there is a dancer lurking within."

Darcey Bussell said he "came alive".  She added, "For me you had great energy throughout.  Honestly, I was not expecting that."

Despite the positive assessment, however, the Donegal singer clocked up one point less than last week (when he performed a waltz to When Irish Eyes are Smiling) with 23.

Even so, Len Goodman predicted he would make it through to next week.  The votes will be revealed in tonight's show at 7.15pm on BBC One.