ITT training clip today - probably from Wednesday I would guess. Looking better but still felt a bit like marking the steps. I am not sure how much they are showing us as Gio was certainly teaching rather than dancing.

OT Ed's quickstep looking better than Judge Rinder's from the clips! Louise and Danny looking very good. Greg and Daisy VW seemed about the same level to me.

Thanks for posting details of interview LadyLavender. Surprised she wasn't asked any questions about her relationship with Giovanni.

I think it was from Tuesday, she was wearing the same clothes as she was in Ian's warm up segment yesterday

Laura & Gio Samba training clip shown on ITT this evening. (From 00.35)

Gio's a sweetheart I reckon Laura might just surprise people on Saturday.

Laura was at the launch of the Very Christmas campaign last night and there are a few comments from her on Gio and Ed in this Evening Standard article.

Gio spoke up for her nicely in that ITT clip - well done that man. Good spot on the clothes - you might be right about it being Tuesday footage.

I can't believe they are at Elstree tomorrow.

Really hoping that Laura and Gio have a great run through and get the 'closing the show slot' on Saturday.

Looking forward to ITT tomorrow.

Interview with Laura in the DM from the Very Christmas Launch.

All the quotes from Laura . . .

'I was grateful to be back on the dance floor. I felt a bit of a failure the week before so had a lot to prove and wanted to do myself and Giovanni justice.'

'I was really upset to be letting down my dance partner with my injury, I couldn't do everything I wanted to do.'

'I have never been so scared in my life. I've lost a lot of confidence as not only am I scared I might forget the moves, I'm scared my ankle could give out at any point.'

'I met Gio for the first time when i was given him as a dance partner and that's how I judge him.'

'That's all I've ever known him as. He's been really supportive as a dance partner and we've been through a lot with the injury and he's been so good... strict but patient.'

'We've got to know each other for the past few weeks.'

On her rumoured fallout with Georgia . . .

'There's nothing to it! . . . It's been completely blown out of proportion.'

'I'm surprised how well I get on with everyone (her fellow Strictly 2016 celebs). I wouldn't have survived the last week without them. No one else knows what we're going through except us.'

'There's no novelty act! Everyone is really good this year, everyone can dance.'

Great anecdote that Ed singlehandedly taught her the Halloween group routine after she'd missed rehearsals.

'I've never put myself in a vulnerable situation - you're a bit exposed.'

'It's much more than a dance show, I've learnt stuff about myself and I cry all the time! It's very emotional.'

Thanks for typing this up! Ed the dance swot! Brilliant!

Training looks okay to me - last week's training clips barely hinted at how amazing their Tango was so I'm ready to be pleasantly surprised again on Saturday.

Thanks for typing up that DM interview, Ochre!

I think you're right ..... yes, the music is so important, whenever I hear "traditional" music it makes me want to leap up and dance

Seconded

Ooh good spot Ochre. I liked this quote

'I met Gio for the first time when i was given him as a dance partner and that's how I judge him.'

'That's all I've ever known him as. He's been really supportive as a dance partner and we've been through a lot with the injury and he's been so good... strict but patient.'

Very nicely put.

I thought her answer was good when the journalist tried to wangle a quote about ex-relationships.

Regarding Loose Women, I am guessing that Laura's PR vetoed 'those' sort of questions, which definitely improved the interview for me.

I am also glad that Laura emphasized the cast are getting along well. Its really tiresome when the easy journalistic labels come out and get tied to the women fairly randomly e.g. 'diva', 'aloof', 'needy' 'meltdown' etc etc. The men just get accused of stropping a bit. Or.... singing show tunes.. tunelessly #PoorEd

Well Laura has her Latin shoes on at Elstree.. over some attractive socks

Gio tweeting about Michael Buble 'my favorite singer ever!!' Move over, Whitney

Is Michael Buble performing on the results show this week? That would be a treat.

Laura was DJing at the launch of a cocktail bar in Leicester Square last night. This link appeared on my Twitter.

https://twitter.com/prettyxcool/stat...21965909733380

Likes to keep herself busy!

Laura's blog for Glamour!

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

Edit: A bit in there about a rather gruesome medical treatment she had on the ankle.. avoid reading if you don't like needles...

Nice words about Gio and her Strictly family.

It is only blogging events up to the Saturday results as usual - no details about this week.

Mick and Daisy's Monty on a Christmas campaign shoot

Far too cute, double trouble

Gorgeous

Laura looking a lot better in the little clip we just saw on ITT.

Ooh I loved their ITT interview, so fun! They have wonderful chemistry and neither of them seem to take themselves too seriously, which I love. Watched that with a smile on my face.

Training looks good, too.

Ooo I'll catch up on ITT later! Glad they're looking better and can't wait for tomorrow

Best ITT from Laura and Gio yet. They seem relaxed and natural together now. Samba clip looked much better.

Did Gio say he liked Eels or 'eels?

Gio seemed to have pressed the 'gibberish' button on ITT but in a very charming and funny way. eeeelllllzzz eeepppzzzz etc etc. Totally bonkers interview but I liked it a lot! Training clip - in proper shoes - looking very promising... Phew! Laura's arms looking vastly, vastly better and much stronger leg action.

Absolutely right attitude from both of them on the couch - their interviews get better each week don't they. I officially luurrvvve Richard Osman on the panel for being so nice about Laura - he is a bit of a sweetie anyway.

Strictly Pointless should be a weekly slot!

OT Mick is a canine superstar.

Clip from Laura & Gio's ITT interview yesterday evening.

Laura: 'like . . . you've got a little bit of a twitch or an itch halfway through a Tango.'

Gio: 'Which we start like this. . . '

Love this photo of Laura & Gio with Carol, Richard and the rather gorgeous Jack

Have a great Samba Saturday and Bonfire Night everyone

'Bamboleo, bambolea . . . '

Morning all

Finally caught up with everything. Really enjoyed that ITT interview, like you say Paperdreams they seem to have such a relaxed, fun vibe together which is great to see. You can always tell when Gio is excited about a dance because he can't help but get up out of his seat when the music comes on! I'd never heard of the 'Spanish drag' before (not Gorka, lol) ...you learn something new everyday.

What IS a drag is that I've got to be at a fireworks party tonight and can't get out of it! Hopefully there will be a TV on somewhere...

Hope everyone going to a fireworks event tonight has a great time

I don't have anything on so I will be glued to the TV hoping to see a great Samba!!