IT was "mission accomplished" for Strictly Come Dancing star Tom Chambers, pictured, who is through to week eight of the competition.

On Saturday night, the Derbyshire actor took to the floor alongside professional partner Camilla Dallerup to perform the paso doble – a dance based on the movements of a Spanish bullfighter.

Last week, the Evening Telegraph was given an exclusive peek at Tom and Camilla's training. The Holby City star told how he was imagining getting up to 100 parking tickets a day in order to get into the fierce character required for the dance.

And the hard work paid off as the couple picked up 34 points from the judges, putting them in third place, just one point behind model Lisa Snowdon and two points behind rugby star Austin Healey.

And with the help of the public vote, Tom, who is from Parwich, near Ashbourne, got safely through.

During the live show, judge Bruno Tonioli told Tom: "You have the attack and determination of an action hero on a mission – mission accomplished."

Even Craig Revel Horwood, known for his sharp criticism, enjoyed Tom's performance. He said: "There was a conceited arrogance all the way through, which was brilliant."

The 31-year-old former Repton School pupil is only one of three male celebrities left in the competition after GMTV presenter Andrew Castle was voted off last night.