In the earlier stages of the competition, there are several contestants doing the same dance each week, so why is it a problem now if both Jade & Ricky do the tango on the same week?


It's not a matter of fitness, surely, it's a matter of time. Jade's been declared fit enough to dance but that happened late enough in the week that she probably won't have enough time to learn the new dance. Pro dancers can learn new routines quickly, I'm sure, but it must be a lot harder for the contestants.

Jade was to rest her knee for 5 days (minimum) which takes her up to Friday before she should dance.
I would imagine the routine will have to be modified too (so the same thing doesn't happen again ) so I can't see anybody grudging her one day for that?

Glad she's well enough to come back though and looking forward to whatever she dances.
(Even the Floral Dance would get her well deserved votes imo lol)

I think it's difficult. Is it better to make her learn both the technique and routine for a new dance in one day, or to let her use that one day to refresh herself on what I assume is a slightly modified tango? I know I'd be more comfortable letting her tango, but I wonder if that is because she's my favourite?

Doesn't matter what dance she does, she'll get through on sympathy and I suppose relief that she's back.

She's not even in my top 3 this series but I'm delighted that it looks like she's returning. I'd hate to lose her from the show.

I know what you mean, she's my favourite too, I'm convinced that she should be allowed to do her Tango, because not only won't she have time to learn the Rhumba but also because it will make for much better entertainment. I'm not sure I have the patience for a second show in a row with a rubbish Rhumba.

I like to think that I would have exactly the same thoughts regarding a couple who weren't my favourites, even one that I wasn't particularly fond of but who can tell

Jade doing the tango doesn't mean she's "swapping out" the dud dance. She might just do the rumba next week, right?

No reason why not. If, like last year, the dancers get to repeat a dance style it should mean that should she stay in long enough, there'll be time for her to do all of the dances.

I'm delighted Jade is back in. Primarily because it means her injury is not serious and she'll be able to do the "Day Job" next year, but also because last weekend was a bad one with my two favourite couples going out, and now one of them is back.

I don't think it matters if she does the tango - she's still had to learn and perfect it and will have to keep it up to the mark this week before Saturday, if she actually can perform.

Doing the rumba could lead to another Laila-style moment, which I'd prefer to avoid more than anything.

If she's still in when the time comes to start repeating dances then it'd be fair for her to do the rumba then, having had her 'repeat', as it were, earlier in the series.

Erm... the tone of Jade's website, both blog and e-mails, is "I'm doing what I can but don't count your chickens". Perhaps we'll hear more on ITT tonight.

That prog really is becoming required viewing. I'm even prepared to suffer Superfans for it.

(Feltz, Blair, Grant yesterday though, OMG!)

/|\

BBC twitter say:

"LATEST NEWS: (PART 1): We await further medical advice regarding Jade Johnson's injury...

LATEST NEWS: (PART 2)... No decision has yet been made as to whether Jade will be able to dance this Saturday night on Strictly"

They managed to post that just as I asked them whether or not she'd be allowed to tango...

So it's not confirmed Jade can dance then?

I thought her blog was ambiguous and the Daily Mail story seemed to be just pulled from that.

If Jade gets sponsorship from British Athletics might there be insurance implications for the BBC - hence the cautious approach from the BBC doctors?

No, it's not confirmed yet.

Jade said herself that the BBC's medical staff were being more cautious than her physio because they're more used to dance injuries. It could well be that Jade's physio will say she's OK to go, but the BBC won't let her in the end.

Keeping my fingers crossed for her anyway!

I believe I'm right in saying that Jade doesn't have any sort of sponsorship at the moment. Her lottery funding was withdrawn in the season before the last Olympics because she had suffered so many injuries and hadn't been able to compete. She lived off her own money while she trained for Beijing. She also missed most of this last season (again injury) and as far as I know still does not have any funding. If she has, I missed any news about it.

Just to answer the Ricky question. I know they've danced the same dance earlier in the competition and to all intents they were judged and marked in comparison.

My point is (regardless of who is stronger or weaker in the dance) is it fair that Ricky will be compared to another dancer when none of the others are in the same position? I keep thinking would Natalie have got the same score for her FT if Chris or Jade had also been doing the same dance on the same weekend. Somehow i can't see it.

Fair enough. I didn't think of that.

There is another thing to take into account - and that is could she train for two dances next week

I am selfishly hoping she will be ok, and that if she is she will do the tango. I loathe the rhumba at the best of times.

On a more general note I have no interest in sport what so ever but since watching Jade on SCD I will be cheering her on if she is long jumping in the future. I may even make an exception and tune in for that bit of the Olympics

Best wishes Jade!

I do like sport, but normally not any of the atletics disciplines, but as you I'll be watching for her come 2012.

I hope she's back next saturday but if not I can fully understand. Her career comes first.

Indeed it does.

It makes me smile to think that there might be a whole new contingent of long jumping fans in the future, all cheering Jade on whilst wear sparkles and rhinestones! We would stand out in the crowd amongst all the tracksuits

Count me in - big earrings and sparkly eye shadow to boot

Even with all that's going on, Jade took the time to reply to a message I sent - and within a very short space of time too.

Thank you Jade, hope we see you on Saturday x

Not sure whether that is actually Jade. I received a message too. They all are built up in a similar way, but I love the fact that whom ever answers them puts in a little something that really makes you feel like it was actually read!! Love it!

Oh and being a sports fanatic (any sport that is).. Count me in too!! Jade all the way, going for gold!!
Last edited by Angela : 18-11-2009 at 16:11

I'm not optimistic. If something popped in her knee then it could a cruciate ligament injury which is so serious that she's unlikely to start her Olympic training on time but, if it was an ACL or DCL it should have been diagnosed by now. There is some hope but not much.

It has been diagnosed. She has a grade two tear of the medial collateral ligament.

That doesn't sound too bad. Is she likely to dance this week?