We don't know. BBC say they're still awaiting medical advice, whereas Jade says on her website that her physio thinks she'll be OK to go after five days resting (which would leave her just the Friday to learn the rhumba if the BBC don't let her dance the tango instead).

She was meant to appear on ITT with an update today, but there was no mention of her on the official Strictly twitter a few minutes ago.

From 10-second Google research:


That doesn't sound all that reassuring, particularly re: the 'cut or pivot' part.

Thank you L L, nice to have solid information.

But not nice to hear it regarding Jade. My prediction is that the "no decision yet" position will be maintained until at least Friday's ITT and perhaps even till the night of the show. At which point Jade will officially pull out.

Unless they show uncharacteristic boldness, of course, but their track record on ignoring bad news (Antongate for example) isn't encouraging there.

Or, of course, they may yet let her do a Tango with heavy strapping under the dress and a painkilling injection.

But how badly could the injury be aggravated by a Tango, even though Jade would feel very little? I'm sure this is what she and her advisers are asking themselves.
Can you help, drbolognese?

It's a bit much to ask someone to voice an opinion on someone else's patient.
And with only what they can have read or without ever examining or even speaking to the patient.

Me too...lol. I got mine while scrambling on a mountain. I didn't fall at all, so it is perfectly possible for a dancer to injure a ligament like that. It happens when you put too much weight on it from an awkward position. Mine has healed completely without intervention other than exercise, which is more than can be said for my anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The good doctor has, however, voiced his opinion on the injury already. On the injury, not on the patient.

But the same "injury" can affect different people in different ways, there's more things to be considered, than a brief statement from the BBC, apart from "the pain threshold" of individuals.

I think the good doctor is a her

Has the good doctor had a sex change, then?

I, too, would be interested to hear her insights into this type of injury and the possible implications.

Damn, must remember to use 'their' more often.

What you really want to know, are Jade's chances of performing on Saturday.
No one can tell you that yet.

What I would like is to know what the possible outcomes are from this type of injury so that I can manage my own expectations. I think we're all intelligent enough to realise that DrB can't give a definitive prognosis for Jade's particular case, but she can explain to us - in a way that we can understand - what the text book possible outcomes are and the factors that they are dependent upon. This, for me, is far more interesting than idle speculation or vague Google searches.

Hi Tonydancer (love the name btw)

Well, like Doghouse Riley has said (below), its hard to comment conclusively on Jade's injury as I have said before its difficult to do so when I havent seen the patient or examined them. With the bare minimum of information we have been given and from what Jade has said herself and also the fact we havent been given an idea either way if she will dance or not, Ive got a horrible feeling Jade *may* have to pull out.

Her injury isnt too severe and should heal with conservative treatment only. But I am concerned that intensive dancing on her injury could aggravate it. And she's a sensible girl, she wont risk her career for a dance competition, no matter how awesome we all thought her tango was going to be.



Doghouse Riley, I dont mind commenting on what I know about ligament injuries in general, I do not pretend to know more facts about Jade just because Im a Doctor. People were getting confused and also getting in somea arguements about injuries in general this weekend, not just with Jade but Laila and Ali too and I wanted to help diffuse the arguments and clear up some confusion about their various injuries.


Well this has been discussed in detail on the Laila injury thread. Yes, people do have different pain thresholds and injuries can affect others in different ways. But I think the main factor with Jade's injury is that she has a long and hopefully successful career ahead of her in athletics and that needs to be the priority when discussing her injury.


Yep, Im a girly, last time I checked anyway


Mrbolognaise would be in a heck of a shock if I kept that quiet after 8 years!!!!

Although I cannot give a clear idea of exactly how this injury will affect Jade, it is of my opinion that she could dance this weekend and it depends on the wonderful physios and the Doctors who see her. I am afraid - not as a professional but as a fan - that it may hurt her more than do good and therefore affect her career.

Me too

Thanks, Doc.

Jade has been on Podium funding through 2009 even though she had the year out by choice in order to fully recover so she could be fit to work towards 2012 and she is on podium funding again for 2010. The Europeans and Commonwealths are both next year and they really should be her priority.
I love Jade and would like to see her win Strictly but I would be sorry to see her continue and risk her season next year. If she has injury problems again she will surely lose her funding.

From the "no news" on IT2 tonight, I suspect it'll be "no Jade" on Saturday.

After all it's "just telly."

Thanks! I didn't know she'd got it for the season this year. And I agree with you about her priorities - I don't doubt they're hers as well, but you know sportsmen & women - if there's a chance to compete, they will.

Very true but they also learn by their mistakes. At least the sportsman in our house has - if in doubt = don't. Hard decision sometimes. Jade has a realistic chance of medalling at both comps next year and it would be great to see her long jump going well again.

I really feel for her as Jade's probably so lost in the moment of Strictly - as do all the celebs who seem to become consumed by it and therefore it must be difficult to stand back and think of the bigger picture.

Oh I know!!

I'd be very relieved if she just pulled out of SCD for safety's sake, regardless of whether she's given the go ahead to continue. The selfish part of me wants to see her carry on.

Best advice for any sportsperson with an injury,
"If it hurts, don't do it until it's better."

Nope, best advice is "work with the physios with their expert and healing exercises until your body has healed the injury by itself otherwise you will stiffen up, your muscles could atrophy and you can find yourself up Poop Creek without a Paddle"

Been there a few times lol

The selfish part of me wants to see this amazing Tango but I would much rather she concentrated on getting her knee to peak fitness again, whatever it takes.

They could easily show us the dress run footage should Jade have to leave.