She's 18, which isn't all that young for a gymnast, has done almost a full quad as a senior, and will have a really tough time staying on the team with all the juniors coming through. Claudia is great, she has a fab personality and sparkle when she competes, but she's not strong on bars, and while she's capable of medals at European/Commonwealth levels, her form issues and inconsistency (especially on beam ) cost her at the World level.

Taking some time off, doing something fun like Strictly & taking the chance to make some money is a really good choice for her. This is the time when she has the most public visibility and the chance to do this kind of thing. There's no gymnastics Worlds again until 2017, so if she wants to carry on competing after that, she has plenty of time to get back into training - probably focusing as a floor & vault specialist in preparation for the new selection rules in Tokyo. It's basically exactly what Aly Raisman did after London, and it didn't hurt her one bit.

Preemptively non appreciating that my dream of Greg Rutherford on Strictly will not be realised this year.

I get the wibbles at the thought of any athlete who still wants to go on competing signing up for Strictly. I don't think the BOC would be chuffed it it breaks anymore.

It's bonkers - Ward Robe has about the only contestant who would look at the Snowdance outfit and think 'ooh, that's quite nice' and she is going to spend the series in the Letitia Dean Memorial Bin Bag

Firstly who is TTF?

Secondly, not really inspired yet by any of the celebs, but then I never am and often end up supporting someone I've never heard of before anyway!! I'm believe it or not looking forward to Ed Balls the most at the mo. He will either be truly awful or quite good, looking forward to seeing which

Look back to page 231, post 5760 onwards, and you'll see a reminder of some of the nicknames used, and why, on this thread.

Got it Thanks.

Weird thing when Claudia Fragapane did not so well on the floor at the Olympics I did think to myself, wonder if she will do Strictly this year? I was right!! Surely she has to be put with the shortest male pro?? She's only 4ft6!!

Judge Rinder, now he should be interesting.

If Craig is rude to him I can just imagine his retorts.

Greg's my pet and you can all keep your bloody hands off him

I am so happy . That is an awesome signing ... and a partner for Nat, fingers crossed! Gregpet it is, then

You might need to share

A lot

Quite a few potentials this year ... it's going to get messy, isn't it? Should we start the extension already?

Extension, lots of tin hats, copious supplies of alcohol...

A sensory room might be needed to calm frayed nerves.

I love him, I love him, I love him!! Sorry, so excited!!! When they showed their silhouettes I thought OMG that's Greg Rutherford!

Sorry, I'm just a little bit happy

If he's thread pet you HAVE to share.

Don't you?

No!!!!! *arms self with a sequined covered hockey stick and channels Maddie Hinch*

Ha!

It so happens that we've been brushing up on our hockey upstairs in the app thread for last year's pet - for the last few weeks actually, and I have some serious backup, so......


I Win!!!!!!

I'm all of a muddle.
There's no one I really don't like.
I'm not keen on Ed Balls as a politician, but I've heard him interviewed on non political subjects and he came across as a pleasant interesting bloke

OK,this longjumper guy - he seems lovely.
BUT he can't be put with Natalie just for being tall.
He HAS to be a good mover too.
She really MUST be given a contender this time.

Is it just me or does the Eastenders actress have a faint odour of LisaRileyness about her?
This could be a worry.

He is extremely popular though - I think he will be one who will be safe until Natalie can weave her magic.

I think the cast is so stuffed full of ringers and slight chimers this year that someone having a J-word will do well.

I have the feeling there will be more than one shock bottom 2/elimination.

steady on!

Nooooo

We need a BÅLLSÜP on the IKEA thread ASAP


*sidles up to Red, holds her pashmina, and passes her a bloodstained hurley for her left hand to go with the hockey stick in her right*

DISCLAIMER: Other sports equipment is available for threadpet defence tactics

Oh good, I thought it might just be my over-sensitive nose leading me astray.

Not trying to crash a well-established party. I rarely post (time is not on my side), but I do slide in now and then, put my back against the wall, and listen because I need occasional doses of non-appreciation. Helps maintain the right attitude toward Strictly.

According to the Sidebar of Shame, James and Ola are the new 'faces' of Anne Summers!!

Now, whilst I get that Ola is attractive, I don't think that my stomach can stand James' sex face. Ew, ew, ew, ew, unappreciate! There's no way I'm clicking on that 'article.'

Whatever happened to dancing for a living????