Didn't she try to prove it by putting the low heels on and standing next to Alijaz, but he was still a whisker taller than her?

I wondered whether some of the female pros (particulary Iveta) wear slightly floaty skirts in training, so their celebs get used to them, rather than wearling leggings in practice and then suddenly when they go into costume the celebs have to get used to not tripping over their skirts and so on

Iveta is definitely queen of the training costume. I am sure it helped Mark & now Tom to see how the movement is enhanced by the dress as well.

I don't think Digital Spy has a spellchucker, it will be your browser highlighting spelling.

I expect you are right. Which ever it is it suggests that Americans don't have willies. How do they keep their feet dry when it rains?

Is that a sort of magician who chucks spells around?

I've noticed over the years that training and shoe requirements have gotten more and more lax.

In Alison's case If her case of flat footedness is quite serious she wouldn't be able to get her foot in heels at all, but as seen a few times she has worn heels to events and such so her flexibility seems to be okay. Yes, your feet ache a lot quicker as opposed to those with a average or higher arch, but the tolerance must be built up.

As for the men, I've noticed quite a few flat Latin shoes. Again a heel can put you onto the balls of your feet easier which makes all the difference for the male.

I think trainers are okay for basic step by step run throughs but to actual practice not helpful.

And Iveta wins the fashion stakes, up for debate if that's good or bad. :P

Have to say I think king of the training clothes has to be Anton - who else puts on a tie just for training....

You would be suprised just how many dancers do

Didn't Alison say she was going to try heels, just not this weekend?

My partner does

The whole thought of that terrifies me.

She is already an inverted triangle shape very much top heavy, she just about copes with the slight heel on her dance shoes, stick her whole weight on 1 square cm if she is on one leg and it is a recipe for disaster. I can see her ankles and knees getting really damaged.

It isn't the shoes that are the problem is is her flat footed and knock knee nature that is making her footwork quite so bad, training in the wrong shoes when she needs to improve her footwork is one of the daftest ideas I have heard though.

Of course.
You're absolutely right.

Alison wears normal dance shoes 90% of the time and stops to put on boots when the camera is rolling.

I don't want to offend anyone, so if I word it badly I apologise in advance, but it is possible Alison has more than average problems with her knees and ankles. I'm only saying it because one of my best friends is a similar build to Alison and she has constant problems with twisted ankles and painful knees and just wears walking shoes all the time. It was a huge big decision for her if she'd wear a small heel for her wedding or not (she didn't). While I think Alison is trying as hard as she can and wants to do well, she might well feel that the potential longterm damage of turning on her ankle or twisting her knee, if there is a chronic injury there, just isn't worth it. It's not as if she is likely to be in the final anyway. She knows her footwork is going to be the focus of attention and she's a sensible woman, and Alijaz clearly understands why she's wearing the footwear she is or he'd make her change them, so I think we have to give her the benefit of the doubt that there's a good reason, and a reason that is more important than it affecting her score on Saturday.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152538513637628
here are some kids dancing without high heels - and they knock Alison into the middle of the next Millennium

Why accept to do Strictly at all with such physical problems? If I were a famous celebrity and got asked to do Strictly, for ten dizzying seconds I would say "yes, yes YESSS" but then decline, as I have a long-standing back problem. At the moment she is dancing with a massive top half shaking like a jelly and nothing going on below the waist. Lisa Riley gave us much more real dancing - and some of her routines a real pleasure to watch. I just don't think Alison should be on the show at all.

I generally don't like to watch kids dance, sing or whatever but that was amazing

I refrain from "dressing the part" until my dancing catches up with my sartorial sense.

Yeah, that's why I wear a lot of "gardening type clothes," (or "scruff") around the house.
My wife always complains that my best clothes seem to be saved for "aprés golf."

Normal ballroom practice wear is long floaty skirts with volume, all adds to the elegance and look.

I too am built on generous lines and find high heels a problem. My days of wearing platforms back in the 1960's are just a memory. I think, also a problem for Alison is that she probably has fallen arches and flat feet. Never the less, she's enjoying her stint on the show isn't she and oozing confidence

TBH that's a juvenile shoe aimed at under 12s; juniors wear heels.

But you're right about they are what Alison wears.

Nearly all specialised dance shoes - and practise outfits - are named after famous dancers. There's probably a Vincent among the mens' shoes! If nothing else it makes ordering them easier!

Some dance shoe manufacturers make boots that are specially made for dancing. They are usually meant for rock n roll, disco, etc. They are very light and made with same (or very similar) soles to conventional dance shoes so they have the same flexibility.

Socks should never be worn without shoes - really dangerous if the floor is slippery, though to be honest, I think most of us have probably done it sometime or other!

Ola was wearing trainers for one practice session this week.