For me, the theme and costumes (not Ore's fault at all) totally overtook Ore's Charleston - it was a great shame.

Momentum... Maybe this week (if still in the show after Results) Laura can get some decent radio and TV interview slots? Fingers crossed that she does appear on Monday Loose Women - as a contestant though!

I'm so pleased for Laura that she could come back the way she did! I loved that tango. Gio was absolutely lovely with her last night as well. She seemed to take the stairs a little gingerly so I'm not sure the ankle is 100% but I'm glad she could push through

I agree with you - I hope that (if she is through) no Charleston next week!

A little snippet from today's Irish Sun on how they approached training. Some new facts in there:
http://www.thesun.ie/irishsol/homepa...-Strictly.html

The brave Irish TV presenter, 31, told how she was left sobbing uncontrollably last week after being struck down with a repetitive strain injury on the joint. Whitmore — who was given a pass through to the following week’s show — stayed away from the studio to watch the episode on TV. She said: “My best friend had flown over from Dublin to watch the show. “Giovanni (Pernice) spent a long time choreographing a beautiful dance, taught it to me and I wasn’t able to do it.

“There are people who give up so much to be on that show. I’m lucky to be able to be on it and then to not dance felt like a little bit of a failure.” She explained how she was told by doctors not to dance for five days. Laura admitted she “didn’t stop crying” after hearing the news and that she has “never cried so much in my life”.

The diagnosis meant she started learning her tango routine for this weekend just four days before the live show on BBC this Saturday.

But instead of having fears over being behind the other contestants, who Whitmore said can train up to “triple the minimum 12-hour amount” per week, she was confident she rehearsed to her best ability. She and Pernice put in around 12 hours of training on their dance to Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones for the Halloween special, despite still being in pain.

Laura said: “We worked really hard within that time. Sometimes Giovanni jokes with me that you can be in the studio 40 hours but not really be there in your head, so if you’re there for 12 hours and fully committed, that can be just as good.

“I tried to concentrate a little bit more. Because of last week and how upset I was, it kind of makes you or breaks you. It gave me a little bit of determination.”

Edit: I like Laura's determination and it is nice to see her speaking so warmly about Gio's work.

Giovanni. Not just a pretty face. I didn't know he was so intelligent

Great interview and insights!

Biggest awwwwww at Laura's latest Mick pic

The three Musketeers, Halloween version

Notice Gorka has commented Gio's forgotten the fourth

Where does Mick start and the rug end?

Maybe Mick's a chameleon for Halloween...

Sometimes a routine just speaks to me.
The music,it's interpretation through the choreography,the celeb's expressive movements all gel into a whole that surpasses the sum of it's parts.

Actually,b*ll*cks to all that.I watched Strictly Halloween lounging on the sofa applauding a few's efforts.
Partly into Laura & Gio's Tango I was on the edge of my seat.
'nuff said.

So very relieved that they are through, deservedly so too. Judging from Laura's face I think she thought she was in the DO.

Sad for Daisy being in the DO again and for you too Ochre as I know you are a fan - but pleased that she stayed, it was a bit of a no brainer there really. Next week will be interesting as I think Daisy and Laura (and Louise, to an extent) are fighting it out for a similar vote.

EDIT: Ooh Samba next week. Not entirely enthused with that choice yet.

Well done Laura and Giovanni

A samba next week, would rather have had some other dance.

Very pleased they're through! Not sure about the samba- Gio can obviously choreograph a brilliant one (I wasn't supporting Georgia last year, but I come back to her samba more than any other dance now) but I imagine it won't be too easy on Laura's poor ankles.

Poor Daisy seemed on the verge of panic. It's so hard this year! I don't feel that Daisy or Laura are unpopular, it's just that people have had other favourites. But it must seem scary and upsetting to be in the DO. Horrible. Not surprised Laura wants rid of that bit of the show.

Seeking a bit of respite from the tension, it'll be lovely to read a happier blog in Glamour mag tomorrow!

I hope Laura remembers to take care of that ankle though. Don't want to jinx things but I'm starting to hope she'll need it for a few more weeks.

Shaposh, Gio's samba last year was my favourite dance of the series. It was all that slowness at the start. All that time for even fans to get worried about what the hell is he doing. Gio, you're not bussing tables. It's live TV. You're dancing... then... BAMM!! Volareeeeeeee! They were off. If Laura can carry through her confidence and her emotion from this week, another Gio Samba would be very welcome indeed

good evening, the samba was my favourite G/G dance last year ...... which had nothing to do with his hips .... and I'm sure Giovanni will be able to choreograph another great routine .... I'm not a fan of Halloween week but enjoyed most of the dances, especially Gio and Laura's tango which received great comments from the judges .... Craig "amazing", Bruno "the look of a winner" and Len "great chemistry between you"

Well, you're not the kind of watcher to be moved without a reason! Lovely to see you here

Just watched Georgia and Giovanni's samba from last year, brilliant. Couldn't take my eyes of Giovanni

I've just come on to post exactly the same thing, great minds

I forgot how good it was and how much I loved the pairing last year. Giovanni is a fantastic choreographer and I have no doubt that he will put together a fantastic routine - I just hope that Laura's ankles can keep up with it! That said, I'm so pleased to see them through to - week 7 is it?! I know that they don't have as strong a following as some of the other contestants so every week we get to see them dance again is a bonus. I'm really happy we get another week of them

Thrilled Laura & Gio are through to Week 7! How good does that sound

With a good song I actually think Samba could be a strong dance for them if Laura isn't too hampered by her ankle. I was expecting a slower dance though after the run of fast ones they've had.

Yes a night of mixed emotions for me again paperdreams, hard watching Daisy's initial reaction to being in the dance off but she deservedly fights another week with Aljaz.

I'd love Laura and Daisy to both make Blackpool and beyond but I know how tough it's going to be over the next fortnight. Both are ballroom girls, non trained dancers competing for a similar vote but also good friends from before Strictly and I love seeing their support for eachother.

I would rather they didn't have the samba ... very difficult dance especially for tall people and not good for Laura's poorly ankle but I'm going to try and keep positive. Hope they get a good song! Gio loves the samba so hopefully he can choreograph a good routine that Laura will love.

Just popping in to say how 'exaited' I am to see a sizzling Samba next week... Can't wait to find out the music. But surprised as I thought it would be a Rumba if they were 'due a Latin' to avoid stressing that leg injury. Maybe the bent leg action in Samba is actually a bit more suitable than the straight leg action of Rumba? Who knows.

What a journey they have been on since the news of the injury broke a week ago... I get the impression that they are stronger and more committed having pushed through all their difficulties.

Sad to see Anastacia go but I wasn't surprised given her jive was not her strongest dance.

I am really worried that next week's Bottom 2 will be two women yet again.. Poor Daisy - she looked distraught and her dance was very strong both times she performed it I thought.

I am sadly expecting a Daisy v Laura dance off before too long I'm just not sure they have support or as much support as the others. It's a tough series, both girls deserve to go a lot further.

I worry that you might be right, it'd be a horrible DO especially as they are such good friends.

However we'll have to see what Saturday brings, I'm going to try for positivity this week as I'm usually so pessimistic and this week proved me wrong - I would never have predicted joint top of the leaderboard!

I am just hoping against hope that they have an elimination-free week, carry the scores forward and we have a four couple final again. Its a happy dream...

Can't wait for music news..

Absolutely loved that Tango - what a comeback for Laura and Giovanni! Laura did brilliantly and I hope it's really boosted her confidence after a tough week. Thanks so much for all your updates as I haven't been able to see the whole show yet (back in uk tomorrow). A lot to catch up on! Samba will be another test for Laura but hopefully they can keep the momentum going...and Giovanni's hips

Laura's tango face

Gio and Aljaz getting some fast food after the show
Gio's still got his eye make up on (somebody get that man a kale smoothie!)

It's scary how much that suits him. He has vampiric good looks that man