Ed Balls could win Strictly Come Dancing – according to Brendan Cole.

The ex-shadow chancellor has survived week after week, despite languishing at the bottom of the leaderboard.

But his dances have improved and now professional dancer Brendan – who knows what he’s talking about – says Ed could get to the final and even land the coveted glitterball.

Ed managed to beat his series-best score from last week at the weekend, but he still landed at the bottom of the scoreboard with 27 points.

In a column for Digital Spy, Brendan praised Ed’s Quickstep to Help! by The Beatles, saying it was “undermarked”.

Ed and partner Katya Jones dressed as Laurel and Hardy for their routine.

Brendan, who was partnered with singer Anastacia before the couple were booted off the show, said of Ed: “He’s improving week upon week and that’s what the show’s all about… it was spot on for me as a Strictly dance.”

Brendan added: “I absolutely do think Ed could get to the final or even win – and I hope he does in many ways. I think it would be a great thing for the show.

“Some of the contestants come under criticism because they’ve danced before so it’s not that difficult for them, but it is very difficult for them… it’s just a lot more difficult for somebody that’s not done it!”

Brendan added that compared to where he started, Ed had done “10 times more” than some others who are doing well.

“I think that’s a great thing for the show, to prove that it’s not just about the best dancer coming through week upon week – it’s about what happens from start to finish and what impact you make on the competition.”

Laura Whitmore became the seventh celebrity to leave Strictly at the weekend.