Having met Natalie at SCD all I can say is that she's a lovely down-to-earth lass with a friendly manner who'll chat to anyone. Most social media is full of plonkers who use their anonymity to say horrendous things that they daren't say face to face.

And I say this this as someone who isn't particularly rooting for Natalie and Artem to win SCD!

Thank You

That's nice to hear. Thanks MarinerFan. (Don't s'pose you managed to touch her hair? )

I am probably way in the minority, but I get the distinct impression that they try to hide the obvious chemistry; I thought it was probably because of Kara's alleged [in the past] jealousy

I think they might have thrown me off Blackpool Tower if I'd done that! Natalie (and, to be fair, all the celebs) were so friendly and open during the rehearsals at Blackpool; Natalie's big flower dress in the opening group dance kept getting caught in the curtains and chairs and she was laughing like mad!

Natalie............LAUGHING!!!! surely not.I have it on good authority from many posters on here that she is just a diva who is so far up herself and smug mug smug........

I think it's true because Artem has just not been himself this series. He does look a bit sad. I saw a few places reporting this and there has been a bit of smoke lately. Shame, but not entirely surprising, it happens.

Well said.

I really hope it's not true. They seem such a lovely couple and she was definitely in the audience a couple of weeks ago

What is this Visa situation that I keep hearing about when it comes to Artem

I know that this is a bit random but I saw some people mentioning it in the comments of those " articles " so I'm lost.

I got a chance to say hello to her at the Xmas special filming and absolutely agree. She was lovely... Beautiful too and with hair to die for!

I always worry they have split because I love them. I know this is not confirmation either way but if you look at her twitter from 30th Nov she has posted a pic of him:

https://twitter.com/ktointon

I think they're fine

Artem only has a work visa to be in the UK (if I remember rightly) so he has to leave the country for a number of weeks each year when he's not employed on SCD.

This.
Non European work visas are extremely complicated. There are even special rules for 'artists'.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/vi...veandsporting/

(I imagine the time provided by the sponsor, the BBC, is around 5 months - 2 months prep plus 3 months on screen - plus the extra 28 days, plus a three month extension without being employed by the original sponsor so a period of 9 months out of 12 can be spent in the UK, possibly slightly more dependant on the initial contract)

It'll be the same for all the other non EU pros, but I imagine all the others are happy to go home for a while at the end of the temporary contract due to not being in relationship with a a Brit (Karen excepted).

It works in a very similar way for Aussie and Kiwi Rugby League professionals who appear for UK based clubs. They tend to be over here for about nine or 10 months and then either go home for a month or have a bit of a travel around Europe.
Although, in recent years, the Government seems to be issuing them with the full two year visitation visa so they don't have to absent themselves for a few weeks each year, specially those who are signed on a fairly long term contract by a British club.

That's good to hear. I suppose season +pre season training +post season promo = pretty much a year round job, unlike Strictly.

I don't think Artem could apply for further leave to remain/ indefinite leave to remain based on his relationship due to his temporary work visa. Which is silly. Of course, it's maybe not relevant anymore anyway.


(Disclaimer I am not an immigration expert but my first marriage was to a US citizen, so I learned a lot, fast! Rules have changed since then but I'm sometimes asked for an opinion from other folk in relationships with non EU partners, so I've kept up with it in a vague way).

you clearly have her confused with susanna.

Thanks.

Oh wow it seems a bit complicated. I was a bit aware of that situation when the serie ended in 2010 but I thought that the problem was already resolved by now !! What a bummer !!! It must not be easy for Artem and Kara too 2 an extent.

I hope this isn't true

It's really complicated and sadly, often a contributing factor to the end of a relationship

I don't know why artem is the only pro who seems to have trouble with getting visas, when there are loads of other pros who are not English and they seem to be in the uk most of the time. Like Natalie's Lowe, kristina, pasha, Aliona, ola is married so I understand her being allowed in. Brendan

thanks i shall look a pic up of those

It's not about being allowed in, they will all have BBC sponsored work visas that grant entry. The problem is staying beyond that. Many of them won't want to stay, but will happily return home (either to their birth country or to their country of residence/citizenship).

Also, different rules for different nations, Australia and NZ are commonwealth countries so have slightly different allowances. Ola is Polish so doesn't need a work visa, regardless of marriage, because it's part of the EU.

The problem isn't in getting the visa, it's that the visa is only issued if he's working. I assume that's one of the reasons why Artem always signs up for the tour, and why he took part in an additional tour Craig was organising earlier this year.

He's either working and extremely busy, or not working and therefore not in the country. Some of the other pros are in the same boat, but they're not tied to the UK in the way that Artem is because of Kara. On top of that, Kara seems to be working a lot as well - probably striking while the iron is hot since she's held in such regard as a strictly champion and people remember who she is. So it would seem pretty difficult to keep a relationship going under those circumstances.

Sorry off the topic of Artem for a sec but I think it's worth saying, in light of the level of flack Natalie gets from whatever source it may be.

I also got to briefly meet Natalie at the Trafford Centre Christmas light switch on this year, she was I can only agree lovely and properly down to earth and naturally friendly with everyone around her. Plus I did get to touch that hair, and it's FAB .......(not that I'm stalkerish or weird about such things....at all )

*edit : blushing man is just not the same !*