That footage was from Monday. She tweeted she was ill yesterday (Weds) morning.

ETA: having said that, we don't know what is the illness.

In which case hopefully it's not 'flu - if she's well enough to be Tweeting...

Hopefully just a cold, then.

What I don't get, is that if the footage was from Monday, why did ITT announce the AT on Tuesday if she was already practicing the Cha Cha? Strange happenings.

Isn't Tuesday's show pre-recorded on Monday? Probably they couldn't change it.

ITT is filmed on Monday so if the footage is from Monday GG had already decided to change it, but perhaps ITT hadn't got the update yet.

It's pretty clear to me that it was GGs decision or production wouldn't have announced anAT.

Footage could have been from Tuesday though when the ITT episode was already in the can.
Either that or someone has got their wires crossed.

Probably wires crossed.

She may have the flu (and again, we don't if it's flu or not) but her arms and hand are not broken...


Again, we don't know if it was their decision or not; and like I said many times, nobody knows the real reason.

Sorry if anyone has already posted this theory, but is it possible that Gio has dislocated his shoulder again, so that anything resembling a lift would be too risky?

Why are people saying that Georgia has got influenza? Has it been stated?

I've not seen anything other than Georgia saying she's unwell. That could be one of many things - a cold, chest infection, virus, a bug - all these things are going round at the moment.

I think if she had influenza surely she'd not want to spin around in a VW as she'd barely be able to stand up and it would make her dizzy and Gio would have to hold her up.

Again, if they were practising the Cha Cha on Monday and it was a production decision to make them change to a Cha Cha, why would production themselves announce an AT on ITT? They would know the dance was a Cha Cha.

Makes no sense that way round. I really don't think there's anything going on other than GG decided to change the dance for whatever reason, and perhaps the message hadn't got through yet by the time ITT was filmed.

It could even be that production were trying to get them to keep the AT so kept the songs as they were, but couldn't persuade them to stay with AT.

It does seem a little bit like people might be looking for a production conspiracy when the most obvious likelihood is it was GGs decision.

They'll rock the Cha Cha anyway and it's a better dance for Georgia's personality.

Hopefully they'll tell us why they had to swap when they do ITT.

Maybe there was a miscommunication between GG and the producers/production and they were going to be doing the Cha Cha all along - because as you said it seems strange that they were practicing it on Monday and not an AT.

Unless they tried all three dances on Monday and Gio hadn't made the final decision on what they are dancing until late on Monday, and it got lost in translation so the production team stated they were doing an AT when they filmed Tuesday's ITT on Monday evening without being informed of the final decision?

Anyone thought that maybe the AT specialists are unavailable at short notice - I don't know how many Strictly have as advisors, but it's just a thought?!

Who know's the reasons - we can just speculate and we may never actually know the reason. Maybe GG will be on ITT on Friday (like normal) and they will explain the change in dance.

I agree that I think they'll rock the Cha Cha as it's an upbeat and lively dance and as you said suits the fun of the couple.

People obviously see things differently and while you see it your way, I see it in a different light. A change of dance at this stage can't possibly be beneficial, hence why it is hard to believe it was their decision.

But like I said and I repeat yet again, nobody knows the real reason they changed (or been told to change).. So it's a bit silly to say, "Oh it was definitely this, that or the other".

BBC / Strictly could address all this speculation with a simple statement or failing that presumably it will be asked by Zoe on ITT tomorrow. The lack of clarity is really saddling TeamGG with a competitive disadvantage @ moment

We just have to remember these people are under contract and not everyone is like Jamelia who feels like burning all the bridges on her way out. We know it's a dream come true for Gio to be on Strictly, so I suppose he's looking forward to be back next year.

I said "seems most likely" not definitely.

It's not a "huge disadvantage" if you change your dance before you start training which it looks like they did as they were practising it on Monday.

Jay didn't even start training his Charleston till Wednesday so if Aliona changed it on Tuesday night it would make no difference to training time, there would be the disappointment of him not doing a Charleston (which is fully understandable fromGG fans if you wanted to see an AT from GG, I admit I'd have liked to see it too)

It seems like you want them to be seen to be at a disadvantage when they more than likely aren't at all. They are doing a dance that Gio is an expert in and they evidently started it on Monday- The Same day as everyone else.

Don't forget J&A got only two hours with the AT experts and then Aliona had to do the rest. So it's hardly a huge disadvantage that Gio is teaching her a dance he is amazing himself at.

Exactly, Jules.

If anyone remembers a couple changing their dance, especially so late in the competition I'd like to know. I don't remember, but my memory is terrible.

This ^^^

I'm just bewildered why its causing such an outcry over on the BBC blogsite with them all claiming its all unfair and a fix for Georgia to get through.

Of course none of us know for sure...most likely something to do with Georgias illness/AT teacher training time or something like that. Of course they wanted to do the AT, thats why they chose it, I'm sure they would have smashed it and it would have been a showstopper with that great traditonal music. But its not going to happen, and I'm sure Giovanni will try their best with the different dance, despite the disruption (not least psychological) as well as illness and everything else. These things happen and theres no one to blame, its just cirucmstances. I doubt very much the producers would foist a dance on them against their will. In my opinon, we get on with it and enjoy the show.

But on other sites, all the claims of unfairness are directed at Georgia (along with accusations of her faking illness too)

Given the couples have got the two dances they'd prefer out of the remaining ones though, I cannot see the 'outcry' over on BBC website about it being unfair as anything other than meaness directed at Georgia. She has two dances from the options given - It makes no difference at all to the other celebs, and if anything having to change your dance at the last minute from the one you wanted is a disadvantage. Its almost as if they want to kick her when shes down and begrudge her the fact that the dance has changed, even though this must be an awful week for her due to the sickness and disruption. Given shes nowhere even a threat to the others going by the vote, I really am left bewildered by the lengths some go to to create bad feeling (almost to the point where they believe its a moral outrage and they demand some sort of justice).

I've accepted that she may not reach the final even although her dance and performance and routines have been more than worthy of it. I've even accepted she may go out on a poorer performance due to unforseen circumstances (illness).
But to go out amid an outcry from petty people acting as if shes tortured a cat by having a dance change (even though it effects no one else but her - and in a bad way) is disappointing. Especially in a week when all of the celebs have got the dances they want.

To be clear I said the lack of clarity is what is giving them the disadvantage because of all the speculation ... hardly vote winning

In terms of the cha cha I have no doubt whatsoever that Gio will have created another fabulous routine for them and they will as always do a brilliant job on Saturday. I'd like to think / hope the public will judge them accordingly.

People love a conspiracy most years, but especially this year. Even one as flimsy as this, it seems. Everytime something happens, anything happens, people seem desperate to spin it as a fix/evidence that their fave/least fave is being screwed over/assisted.

It's not like GG got a new dance foisted onto them on Thursday. If TPTB (or the root of all evil to some people) were screwing them over (I mean seriously, it's ridiculous even typing it) why on earth would they announce the AT in the first place? GG are great - they can handle any dance, and if they had to change, it will have been their decision. No big deal or drama.

Exactly. Of course we were gutted initially about the AT, but move on and hope for the best. Such is life.

Its the fact this dance change has been used as a stick to beat her with yet again by some with the irrational claims of fixing it for her, an advantage for her etc. It really is petty and mean to be generating such bad feeling that doesn't even make sense considering its her worst week with sickness and disruption - and possibly her last.

I know

Such bandwagons are created - I swear I heard someone saying they hoped Georgia would be 'vindicated' in all of this. I cannot believe how ridiculous, OTT and unfair their claims are. You really couldn't make it up. You'd think this dance change effected things and was important. The only person it will possibly effect (in a negative way) is Georgia. But the wolves are out, hounding the BBC for answers and justice!

It's easy to get worried about your favourites and annoyed by unkind comments on blogs etc but don't forget that a large proportion of the voting viewers and public may not even know about this. Many viewers don't follow every iota of news online and a lot don't watch ITT.

I like Georgia and Giovanni but even I don't follow on twitter or anything like that, and may not have noticed the dance change were it not for DS, so perhaps we're giving it too much importance.

Unless the whole story is presented as a drama! on Saturday (al la Artems shoulder*eyeroll*) then most will just judge what they see on the night.

So it's unfair to change to a dance that will be less likely to "wow" the public and reel in extra votes? *yawn*

Love the hypocrisy. It's unfair for someone to change the dance, but absolutely justified to accuse a person of malingering.