It was brave(?) of Ann to go ahead and dance tonight - obviously we don't know about her relationship with her brother. We also don't know how much it has affected her but I respect her for not using it as a sympathy vote and keeping a dignified silence.

Not mentioned on ITT last night or apparently on This Morning. I suspect she is very private about that sort of thing and it was her wish. What a trouper she is!

We are so used to seeing people spit and cough out every emotion, and fill up with tears at the drop of a hat (and I am not just talking about Strictly here), that the absence of a mention was surprising, but from what Ann has said about her approach to the show, it was not that surprising. She is working at this, taking it seriously to that extent, but I suspect that Ann is always aware that SCD is fun, not a serious matter, totally different from serious matters that may be going on in her life.
Good on her for carrying on. I am not sure how long I want her to last in the show, but am enjoying watching her thus far.

I'm so glad it was mentioned, ESPECIALLY not by Bruce.

I normally hate the cr*p dancers, but something about Anne... I don't know, she's just so lovely. I just want to pick her up and give her a big cuddle.

It was mentioned on This Morning on Friday.

I suspect Ann may have asked for it not to be mentioned which is fair enough.

She strikes me as being a private person. I shouldn't imagine she wanted any attention drawn to it - sometimes it's hard to deal with the sympathy. I know it just makes me emotional. I think she'll know that people's thoughts have been with her, and that's enough fro her.

I don't think it should have been - it's her private business.

Very much what I expected from this lady.

However far she goes in the series she will want it to be on the merit of either her dancing progress or the entertainment she provides - that is what she has been contracted to do.

Ann is of the 'old school' and I take my hat off to her.

Best wishes, Ann

There must be some confusion here. I saw her interview on This Morning too and the death of her brother wasn't mentioned either.

I saw an interview with Ann and Lesley Garrett on This Morning last week where it was mentioned - Eamonn offered his condolences and Ann said she would be carrying on because her brother's family really love seeing her in it and he enjoyed it too, in fact his last conscious moment was looking at the TV when she was dancing last week.
It seemed OK for her to talk about it although I got the impression she would rather Eamonn hadn't mentioned it. However, I can understand she didn't want to talk about it on a Saturday night entertainment show and probably told the producers this.

I guess it's a private matter and she wanted to keep it that way...it's probably an old fashioned dignity thing.

I also saw it on This Morning on Friday whilst she was reviewing the papers along with Lesley Garrett. It was a very brief moment, and there wasn't a big deal made of it because I think that's how Ann wants it to be.

I haven't been online for a few days (I can't sleep tonight) and didn't realise Ann's brother had died - nor indeed that brendan had lost his dad.

I've kept a close eye on the Ann threads on here, because my mum was so enjoying her being on Strictly and she liked me telling her how much other viewers were enjoying it too.

My mum died on Wednesday, so I know how hard it must have been for them to carry on.
I wish mum had seen Ann's imrpovement this week - she'd have really loved that.

Condolences to you and your family - it's a hard time for you.
I hope you can continue watching Ann's progress for your Mum, and give a little smile at her antics.

Best wishes.

Sorry to hear about your bereavement.

Still as far as I am concerned if you opt to be a celeb on Strictly you get on with it.

Celebs are a different matter: condolences to Brendan.

I mean celeb dancers are another matter...

Whether you're a celeb or a pro, you're still a human being and it must be tough to put on a smile and get out there under those circumstances.

At least in Brendan's case, he's a professional performer who understands more than most that the show must go on.

Great respect to both Ann and Brendan.