Katherine Jenkins dazzles on DWTS

Katherine Jenkins was handed the first top score of 10 on this season's Dancing with the Stars last night.

The contestants on the hit show performed routines that represented the most memorable years in their lives, which made for emotional viewing.

Katherine – who has received much praise since her debut on the show – performed a waltz with her professional partner Mark Ballas.

The blonde beauty dedicated the dance to her late father, who she lost to lung cancer when she was 15.

Katherine's performance touched the judges, with Bruno Tonioli calling it "sensational". Carrie Ann Inaba was reduced to tears, and gushed that the routine was "magic".

"It was almost like you had two partners. Dad is definitely smiling," she added.

The pair earned 29 points out of 30 for their emotionally-charged dance – which is the season's top score so far.

William Levy and professional partner Cheryl Burke also scored a 10, finishing with an impressive 28 points, just behind Katherine.

The actor performed a salsa which represented the year 1995, when he moved from Cuba to America.

Maria Menounos and partner Derek Hough performed a rumba to Madonna's Material Girl. The track represented the TV host's favourite childhood song and reminded her of when she went to work cleaning nightclubs with her immigrant parents.

Maria garnered nine points apiece from all three judges.

Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd earned 27 points for their rumba, while Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower, and Jaleel White and Kym Johnson – were handed 25 points.

Jaleel was also reduced to tears on the show

"I love entertaining people," he said. "And I have been since I was three. I just wanted to complete this week."

Five couple all received 24 points for their dances, including Jack Wagner, Gladys Knight, Melissa Gilbert, Sherri Shepherd and Gavin DeGraw.