Round of applause to Gio. That is the ticket He has put not one, not two, but FOUR - count them - FOUR emojis in that message. Phew.

(OT Is this a female thing? Round of applause to man for Doing The Absolute Basic Minimum Level of Communication? . Maybe its just me. )

I think that is the pic from her Insta story earlier.

I am glad they are keeping up the communications. A bit of a relief.

Who can blame them for not communicating too much in social media? The tabloids would go into overdrive. I am sure they have been in touch a lot but in private.

Totally agree. I did think it was strange there was no social media conversations but have no doubt they will be speaking privately. I did think it was strange though that Laura didn't mention Gio in her tweets.

Think they are damned if they do damned if they don't.

Just feel for both of them that this year's experience hasn't been great but onwards and upwards - hopefully

Oh poor Gio going through the ringer again for not tweeting people! He hardly tweets at all in general, I think he only has a twitter because it's expected of him for publicity etc. His message on Saturday was supportive and I assume he's texted etc. Social media is so common now I think we forget not everyone uses it much or GASP even at all!

Please don't go Ochre, you're an integral part of this thread. We love your links and we love you x

Keeping everything crossed for Laura. I'm actually quite pleased that there isn't an enormous amount of negativity towards her and her injury. We know there are those who wanted this partnership to fail from the offset but they are in a small minority.

Onwards ...

I know he can't win either way. They will be in touch privately so no more wibbles (taken from the Jay and Aliona appreciation thread) from me

Agree with you about Ochre, thread wouldn't be the same without her

Noticed that there has only been a few negative comments about Laura so that's good.

Laura needed to be over all that weeks ago and I'd thought she was but perhaps not.

The statement she put out on Saturday evening which was picked up by the tabloids thanked her fellow celeb contestants for their support but not Gio. She clearly watched the show as afterwards she publically replied to a tweet from Ore and congratulated him and Jo on their dance but after Gio had sent her that lovely message watched by millions Laura made no public reply and still hasn't.

Laura is a prolific social media user and when she's made a point of replying to other Strictly celebs and Chloe but not Gio and he's been so publically lovely and supportive it doesn't come across well. That matters for them winning support however much they've been in contact in private.

Gio has been so invested in their dance partnership, has worked so hard for Laura and shown her immense support. He was the best dance partner for her from day one. The tabloid stuff wasn't that big a deal at the beginning and now I'm finding it difficult to understand why Laura would care about a few rumours. Daisy's had it almost as much and that when she's clearly and visibly such good mates with Janette

Any dance training including for any of the slow ballroom will put strain on Laura's ankle. Even if given the tentative go ahead today or tomorrow Laura will clearly be choosing to take quite a risk resuming training (as she would have done on Saturday if allowed). I don't see staying in Strictly as worth that sort of risk. This isn't Laura's day job, she can continue with her other work commitments almost immediately I would have thought and she has her play run lined up in the New Year to look forward to and get back to full fitness for.

As I don't want to keep putting a dampener on you guys hopes for them I won't keep posting these same opinions of mine

I am looking forward to seeing them on ITT whatever the news and hope Laura's continuing to recover well

You're not putting a dampener on things Ochre. Everyone's view is important and we will sometimes have different opinions.

Re social media I go from one opinion to the other but I can't wait to see them on ITT to find out what is going on.

No wibbles from me this year, just enjoying it while it lasts.

On hand to support those who wibble though.

No word on twitter yet from either of them. I am sure Laura's ankle has had to be examined again this morning. Hope all is well. Keeping everything crossed.

BIB
That's not a problem - we know you want the best for them!

We all see things differently. If we all thought exactly the same there would be no point in communicating.

I reckon things are very uncertain and they don't know how things will pan out. That could lead to them not wanting to give out info that turns out to be too optimistic or pessimistic.

They will be doing their best. I just hope they have got a dance that gives them a chance.
It is Halloween Week, and we have seen quite low levels of content in the past, in dances that have done well in HW.

Laura's blog

http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/cel...e-dancing-blog

Its is very interesting....

Ochre - I think its really good to have a range of views and opinions - we can all share our different perspectives

On Monday we went trampolining to get more bounce in my step and have a bit of fun

Its those b****** BBC VTs again..... I am fuming.....

There is a lot of detail in there. Will put to bed totally the 'doubters' and confirms that they are taking a sensible view about this week. Phew.

Nice words about Gio

But for me the option of not dancing WASN'T an option. If I didn't dance, I felt it's not fair and I've let everyone down, including myself, and Giovanni who had choreographed a beautiful routine.

Thanks M'Lady. Great blog entry from Laura. I really like her honesty. I soooo hope they will be allowed to train and perform (health allowing).

I've just noticed Laura is watching Judge Rinder in that pic ! Curse those VTs though, they must waste so much money and training time for what 2 minutes of stuff no one seems to like?

It seems to me that there are three options at this point

1. Try to dance a competitive, high-scoring routine
2. Dance a 'safe' but crowd-pleasing routine
3. Pull out.

I don't think that the first option is on the cards, both for medical reasons and because their training hours are limited.

The second option fits Laura's determined personality. (And frankly there are lots and lots of those dances on Strictly). She loves the show, and it would give her and Gio another week in the spotlight on the biggest show on UK television. As she is moving into acting, she could use this routine to showcase her acting and performance skills. Good opportunity for Gio to show how he would work creatively with a less mobile contestant - he might have one of those next year ('due a duffer' rules etc).

My own view is that Laura loves the show, and also really has bonded with her fellow contestants. If she pulls out, someone else (probably Daisy or Anastacia sadly) goes home a week early, and only 2 people will be finalists. I think she will want to do her best for her new friends if she can and be as professional as she can for the show, even if it means attempting a fairly limited routine this week.

I am reassured that the medical supervision will not let her take a silly health risk. I was a bit when Greg lifted Natalie over his head with an injured wrist - THAT in my view was not very sensible.

If the ankle flares up again.. then she will get the right advice.

really enjoyed Laura's Glamour posts! I do think she's not been able to fully express herself cos of the nonsense gossip! I'll be voting for her this weekend if she dances!

I experienced a 'red mist' of annoyance at BBC stupidity re trampolining. Very severe Unappreciation.

Also.. what on earth are the BBC doing repeating Gio's storylines from last year? Its getting weird now.

1. Gio singing (badly)
2. Gio speaks Italian / Laura speaks Irish
3. Trampolining
4. Celebrity partner needs to develop confidence / trust Gio more

I could go on... but it is really, really starting to grate. Is it just me? The trampolining seems both totally stupid and a flagrant repeat of his VTs from last year - what is going on.......

I think her blogs are great too.

Thanks for the blog. An interesting read as always.

What a lovely natural photo of Laura, her goddaughter and Mick, too.

At least they had Laura in a harness when she was trampolining. That would reduce the risk of the trampolining making her ankle much worse, but it was wasted time and work, which probably had some detrimental effect on what was a known injury from the previous week.

The injury sounds more muscular than entirely the ligament, which might mean there is a chance it can recover if they can stay in for a while without having to stress it too much - but that is just an uneducated guess on my part.

It is Halloween Week. As Lady Lavender says, Laura has acting and performance skills which Gio can make use of - plus they have chemistry together - and it is a week where you can get away with less content.

The dance, music and theme will be big factors, so fingers crossed.

Did they put Laura in a harness? Genuine question.

It really is time for the producers to bin the risky physical activities. I mean, I loathe the 'Brendan and Kirsty cook paella' VTs as well.. but at least they are safe. (Unless you eat the paella which I remember looked a bit dodgy ) If they have to have a 'comedy' bit, at least make it something done in the training room so less time is wasted. Like learning to juggle or whatever. Or Olly Murs popping in which probably only risked an injury to Natalie Lowe's vocal chords.

BIB
Yes - you can see it in the picture of her on the trampoline. It is hung from two elastic ropes, which she is holding onto. It helps keep her in the centre of the trampoline.

Taking time out for VT filming plus ITT visits means they have to train all the harder for the rest of the time.

OK Its just me.. is that picture on the Glamour blog somewhere?

Edit: I can see it now.