Issfan - I haven't quoted your post but I appreciate that you have made some really well-expressed points.

Giovanni and Georgia's relationship ended - they have said it was a mutual decision and, frankly, its up to them. Not unusual or surprising at that age and, when something isn't working, then better by far to call it quits. So I couldn't agree more with what you wrote and I fall into the 'none of our business' camp really on the ins and outs. My personal view is that break ups are never easy and I have a bit of respect for my friends who call time on something that doesn't work for them - and only they can truly know what is really going on. The person who calls time might simply be the realist.

Even if as it seems Gio and Laura didn't get on particularly well by the end, they still had a charming ITT final interview and some OK on-the-record social media comments. I am happy with that - they have been professional on TV and social media, which is enough for me. I liked the dances.

The tabloids have not yet managed to stand up a Strictly Curse story this year. They keep trying.

If the BBC do issue a statement this whole ghastly business will be back in the tabloids. I do not want that. That statement would appear again and again and again every time they wrote a piece about Laura. Read the article about Giovanni in OK today and you will see several old stories repeated. I think it best if the whole matter is NEVER mentioned again. That way the tabloids will not be allowed to refer to it again either.

Sorry for the rant everyone but you will realise I loved this partnership and I think they made it work in spite of the situation they found themselves in. On that dance floor they had chemistry and should still be there.

I don't really understand why you're defending Giovanni's right to break up his relationship to me issfan. Of course he had every right to do so (if that's what happened, I have no idea) and both he and Georgia are free to see whoever they like. But it's desperately unfair on Laura that a breakup between two people that had nothing to do with her affected her personal longstanding friendships (I don't mean Georgia who I believe she barely knew) and professionally because she was thrown in the middle of it by the show. Strictly is a once in a lifetime experience for the celebs, that's it now for Laura, a longtime fan of the show who had dreamed of doing it for years.

Laura has dealt with the allegations in the right way by immediately challenging them and stating them to be untrue. It's outrageous Gio and the BBC didn't also make an official statement on something so serious. Was an official complaint regarding bullying made or not, is there evidence of abusive texts or not.

This is Laura's professional life at stake and it's important she defends her reputation when it's been slandered in this way. It's a shame that Giovanni priorotises addressing frivolous rumours regarding his love life over defending the professional reputation of an honourable woman who he may not have personally got along well with but who is certainly no bully or abuser.

Good morning I know Laura has been treated very badly, but we keep going in circles here. This is still an appreciation thread, so let us just enjoy the good times and good dances. Only thing we can do is complaint, I have decided to write to BBC and ask them to provide the evidence or deny it and how it's unfair on Laura, who was dealt a very bad hand from the beginning, had danced well and entertained us, under those circumstances.

This is an appreciation thread so it seems bizarre to me to hush up discussion of what has been in the news this week and not to show my support for Laura and genuine disappointment and quite frankly disgust on her behalf at the way she's been treated.

Totally agree with you, Ochre . People have the right to deal the way they want.
Some people only get up in arms about visible things. We have to get BBC or Giovanni to clarify. I have always been a Laura fan, so I am complaining to BBC.

Sorry, I was not trying hush anyone. I have no right and no intention. All I was saying was we have all said how we feel, now we need results.

Sorry I did not want upset anyone. I just felt I wanted to put another point of view.

Maybe just maybe the BBC are taking this further than we think. Maybe the whole scenario is in the hands of lawyers. I don't know anymore than anyone else but that is a possibility. Let's just wait and see.

I am no Law expert, but the article was damaging to only Laura, so only her team can take legal actions, I am sure her team would have preferred a clarification from BBC, instead of going down the legal path. May be BBC is supporting their legal challenge,
who knows?? I doubt it.

Gio & Aljaz singing along to various songs in the back of a car on gio's instagram stories. Neither of them should give up the day job IMHO!

I heard Laura had posted a picture with Mr&Mrs Oduba on her Instagram account, could someone please post the link here. Thanks.

Maybe because Laura and Giovanni are both still under contract to the BBC happy to challenge or at least support any challenge.with this as it reflects badly on the programme too.. As far as I know Laura reacted to the allegations but her team have not put out any statement either. As you say no one knows what is going on.

Hi, I haven't posted much on this thread but I love reading it.

Here's the link:

Laura's instagram

Ore's wife also posted a picture of them:

Portia's instagram

Hey, my two favourites in one shot! Thanks for posting

Really appreciate your help, SoapLover Thanks.

I am not on Instagram, so didn't want to go looking for it. Glad to see them having fun.

Off Topic.
Is Portia Oduba the most fabulous name belonging to a real-life human being?

OT Its is a totally, totally brilliant name. Up there with Christiane Amanpour which I used to think was Best Ever CNN Journalist name.

I had a little look at the advance bookings for the Peter James play, Not Dead Enough. Not sold out yet but their first couple of weeks in Dartford and Milton Keynes are incredibly solid at this early stage. They really haven't started the publicity in earnest so I think this is going to be close to a sell out run. Which would be fairly amazing for a non-musical. If its Laura's first commercial stage role (outside of drama college), much better to be playing to a busy and appreciative house.

Gio filming what looks like an ITT segment? with Alijaz, Janette and Natalie. I think the background looks like a musical theatre set?

https://twitter.com/RealNatalieLowe/...28603823566848

Oh, and I totally agree that the singing clips suggest that dancing was a wise career choice.

Laura is filming with Rankin, who is a simply amazing fashion photographer, today.

Thanks for the info, LL

Danny's Samba song 'Magalenha'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKIAuIg-GaE

Very nice song and slower than Laura's song.

Hi Sarah. Laura's arrangement of Bamboleo was around 120 bpm. Volare last year was arranged at 104 bpm - big, big difference.

The Magalenha is falling in between the two on the version I looked at. So yes, a bit slower. I am prepared to be open minded (unusual for me) until I hear what they have done to it. Danny has had a good run of music and all the tailcoats as well - but he and Oti have pulled off some terrific dances.

Poor old Claudia at Blackpool had the most frantic arrangement of Hey Mickey that I have ever heard - the original was fast enough, so why they decided to speed it up I have no idea

Can't see what on earth Katya is going to choreo for Ed's Satisfaction Tango Think they are handing him an exit ticket.

BIB - I have faith in Katya, I am sure she will come up with some good choreo. I hope Ed doesn't go, I want him to win now.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNINbRhAT7x/

Gio dressed as a Christmas Elf from yesterday's work with BBC Strictly to raise awareness for the mental health charity MIND. Am guessing that the video will appear on the Christmas Special. (Edit - Gethin's description says that you will see it on Christmas Day)

Natalie Lowe tweeted a pic but has had to delete it - and I notice that Gio commented 'Ssh' on the Instagram that Gethin put out..... so this picture might not stay around long either. Nice message from Frankie Bridge on the Insta.

He makes a surprisingly cute Elf

I love the song and it has a great driving beat. Ed has good rhythm, the track isn't too fast so, yes, should be good for him. He might end up 'stomping' a bit... but, actually, does that matter? Its @EdBalls after all. I will definitely be watching them both on Saturday.

I forsee stomping, chicken-necking, and Katya giving Ed a couple of fat lips - a la Laura's bag!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNF5xrIBMdX/

Laura and Portia Oduba ( it's a nice name Dervia) can easily blend with the Hollywood crowd.

More from Laura

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNJ8jOPhQrx/?hl=en

Really stunning, I was hoping she would wear this colour dress for her VW, not meant to be.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNJ64L9hQJQ/?hl=en

Totally agree.

Please feel free to post. Did you support Laura??