Could have been agreed with her what would be said.

We're labouring this now, we don't know either way.
But the way it was announced gave those who dislike Claudia another opportunity to have a go at her.

Is the right answer

Speculators are gonna speculate come what may when the bottom line is that is is none of our/their business

Absolutely. It made me sick to my stomach how some were berating her for choosing her child over the show, regardless of not knowing the full reasons.

I think that critical comments would still have appeared if they'd said "accident".

Many, at least, of those inclined to interpret the announcement in a way that told against Claudia would have still been so inclined.

I'm really really sorry for Claudia & her family. I really hope she recovers. Burns are an awful thing

How awful!

I hope Matilda makes a speedy recovery.

Yes, me too, I hope the little one recovers completely.

Anyone who had a go at Claudia over a situation which anyone with half a brain could predict would probably turn out to be serious, and anyone with a quarter of a brain should have appreciated was none of their business anyway, should take responsibility for their own small-minded, judgemental and prejudiced words and not go looking for scapegoats for their lack of empathy. The BBC did NOTHING wrong. The people who made the distasteful comments on the other thread are 100% at fault and need to step up and accept that without making mealy-mouthed excuses and attempts at justifying the unjustifiable on a question of semantics.

I hope Matilda makes a full and speedy recovery. I doubt anyone connected with the show even in a small way ever reads this board, but if by some chance someone did/does, I hope they pass on all of our sincere good wishes to Claudia and her family from this the well-wishers on this thread.

Well said.

I don't think, apart from Zoe, those on ITT last night knew what had happened because a couple of them cheerily congratulated Zoe for her performance on Saturday, and Zoe quickly glossed over it.

I wish Matilda a speedy and full recovery and my thoughts are with Claudia and the rest of her family. Claudia did the right thing by putting her child first, but I hope it won't be too long before she's back on Strictly being her usual funny, quirky self. Hugs.

Eloquently put

I agree. People on here could bicker in an empty room!

How horrific. A parent's nightmare. Wishing Matilda a quick recovery xxx

Me too, get well soon Matilda.

It was pretty obvious that it had to be something serious and not just something like flu or chickenpox so I was really surprised to come on here and read all the negative comments against the wonderful Claudia or The Wink as my brother calls her.

My love to the whole family and especially Matilda.

how bloody awful for the family. hope she recovers well who really cares about a silly dancing show when it comes to your children's health.

Exactly. The first thing that came to my mind on Saturday.
(Pleased I must have at least half a brain)

There are people who can't see anything beyond what is explained to them in every detail
and some who like to jump in before they have the whole story.
The second group are not entirely a subset of the first.

Sorry to hear about this horrible accident. Best wishes to Claudia, Matilda and their family.

Wishing Claudia and her family all the best and wishing Matilda a speedy recovery.

Get well soon Matilda. Love to all the family xx

Quite. This says it all.
Love to Claudia and all her family at such an awful time.

Oh dear...it was even worse than I imagined. Poor kid , I wish her a speedy recovery.

It was due back this week.

How sad.

Burns are so painful - poor little Matilda.

The whole thing must have been incredibly traumatic for all concerned.

I do hope that Matilda makes as pain free and speedy a recovery as possible. My thoughts are also with Claudia and her husband who must be so distressed to see their daughter hurting right now.

All I want to say is that she should spend as much time with her daughter as needed and forget the show. I miss her but Zoe was fantastic so she can spend as long with her daughter and not rush back. It probably wouldn't make a difference, but when and ONLY when her daughter is ready for Claudia to go back to work, then maybe she could come back for just the main show and Zoe could do the Results (yes I know they're filmed on the same day, but it worked for Bruce).