I hope so.

I'm not really a fan of Natalie's (I find her dull), but I don't think she deserves some of the hate she's getting, and I really don't think the show's helping.

All the massive drama they've made out of her injuries doesn't actually serve to drum up much sympathy IMO and actually reinforces the impression that the injuries are invented/exaggerated (I don't think they are, BTW, just that the way they're presented makes it seem more like they are, if that makes sense).

Other celebs and pros have had injuries and they've barely been mentioned. Kristina was visibly limping this evening but it wasn't brought up at all, beyond her making a passing reference to an "injury" occurring at some point this week. Susanna and Fiona both hurt themselves last week, but dismissed Tess' questions about it and have carried on without complaint/incident. (I don't watch ITT, so if they've talked about it more on there, I wouldn't know)

I don't know whether the producers are trying to drum up extra sympathy for Natalie for some reason, but I think what they're doing is having the opposite effect.

Here endeth the essay.

Is there a reason why the rules should be any different for Natalie?They are all allowed one bye for illness/injury as far as I am aware.

Just my view and opinion, of which i am perfectly entitled to

It' s good also that she didn' t need the week' s pass after the back incident, had she done so and then this happened now I am not sure what she could have done. On DWTS I have seen couples where someone was injured during the dress rehearsal scored on a dress rehearsal performance, not sure if this was instead of or after a week' s pass though, and you might need to have done at least one pretty good run through thst they could judge to avoid a low score.

Even if it's daft.

It's pretty academic where Natalie is concerned, the chances of her being eliminated were near to zero so I don't see why people are so bitter about her having a bye.

Your opinion, to which your entitled to too.

But if it's the rule, then it would apply to everyone. One bye is reasonable I would have thought

I hope your favourite doesn't ever need a bye

Of course you are, but are you against anyone having a bye or just Natalie? Its fine if its the former but if its the latter then I do not agree.

Not for your views but for very poor spelling. It's 'bye'

its interesting isn't it, because i also thought tonights show was generally up a notch or two on the usual. has everyone improved and raised their game, or does it just feel that way because the best dancer isn't there? i think its the former, i hope so anyway, as it will increase the sense of there being some genuine competition when (and i do hope its when, not if) natalie comes back

No not just Natalie, but i think the majority aspire to get to Blackpool, then someone gets through on a "bye" the week before Blackpool, who ever it is seems a tad mean.

Well that's fair enough if you are being even handed, but its tough though because them are the rules...besides which Natalie would still be going to Blackpool even had she danced so its kinda a mute point in her case.

Exactly. Even in a dance off, who would be saved over her?

It's not Natalie or the producers who decides whether to dance or not . She will only be allowed to dance if the medical staff give the all clear .
They must have decided it was not ok for her to dance tonight.

I have an odd feeling that Natalie may be completely out I really hope I'm wrong...

Oh dear, if you can only watch excellence then Strictly is not the show for you.

I agree with you. Lots of great performances tonight (mixed in with the rest of the elements of the show that make it the fabulous Saturday night event that it is).

I think that is probably right, and I would not especially wish otherwise, though from an objective standpoint the absence of a score and vote aggregate for her (or indeed anyone in that situation) might change the overall result for specific couples e.g. via some vote transferences, and affect who ends up dancing off?

Refer Natalie to ATOS for an opinion.

Where did I mention anything about the decision not to dance?

I was referring to the way it was presented. All they needed to say was that she had been taken ill and was not dancing, and leave it at that. Not have a long overwrought VT of her crying and being taken off in a wheelchair and an interview with the medic.

Her dancing or not isn't an issue. The show making a big thing of it just, IMO, gives the haters more fuel for their fire.

I have a sinking feeling also that we may not see the wonderful Natalie dance again

Lets hope though we're both wrong .

I too have that nagging feeling at the back of my mind.....I do hope I am just being too pessimistic.

Third I feel that way too

Another one here