They have clearly never seen Claudia's gymnastics either or understand a split leap on four inches, where you know exactly were to land, is very different on the floor in heels as at a very fast pace...and so is a walkover, she has no mats or spring floor. Hopefully the gymnastics community will vote for her heavily, they adore her, just as the adored Beth Tweddle.
Being a gymnast means she has body control, and flexibility but dancers have that too and they do split leaps. In the AT Claudia did a stag split leap with foot nearly touching her head something she had never done in heels before. Without the heels she would have touched her head. People don't seem to appreciate that there are injury risks for her and if she is continuing in gymnastic then she has to keep her flexibility training going and her stretches..The European Championships are just five months away.......Every gymnastic element she uses comes for long hours of training, and from doing gymnastics since she was six years old. Professional dancers use gymnastics too....Just look at Maddie Ziegler in Sia's videos. Splits, split leaps and a front layout...

Her biggest advantage as a gymnast is she is used to practicing, over and over again and she is used being given corrections and applying them. She will not be exhausted by the training either and she is already on a training diet. But being 4'7 makes it tougher.

I loved it, favourite dance of the night. Such cute cubs and fantastic dancing, I just knew Craig and Darcey wouldn't give a 10 there's always something with them when it comes to Claudia. I thought Len would, but happy Bruno did.

Claudia has rarely looked so attractive as a temptingly cuddly but scaringly feline lion. Grrr
There was a lot of good from her point of view in that dance, she is ripening at the right time. I just hoped for more dancing on the floor itself. I hope someone helps AJ to balance these things when it gets to the final.

I think that the salsa was the last dance they've got barring the showdance of thrybrt to the final and any dance they repeat.

So it may be that they wanted to put as much into that as possible as they may not get another opportunity.

I agree it is better to ignore the anti Claudia and AJ comments because it's just a load of rubbish anyway. They were great last night and to say any different is just plain jealousy.

There are a few vocal and dedicated detractors who have talked some absolute piffle, refusing to acknowledge how good she is. How anyone can say she isn't a good dancer just baffles me. I think she has got some people rattled. If she gets to the final she will be runner-up, I'd put money on it.

I think the "gymnastics" criticism is a bit lazy. I've seen all those lifts done in salsa before (Janette could have done the routine last night no problem). There's a bit of an anti-salsa feeling on Strictly from those who would prefer more traditional routines. May as well just accept that we are always going to get show dance salsas though. There's no way the celebs would pick a "proper" salsa up from one week's training. Well, they could try but it might not be pretty (or they'd do a decent job then be lambasted for being a "dirty ringer" ).

Anyway, I think we all agree she was fab-u-larrrrrs darlings

Glad they got through - AJs reaction was hilarious

Yes, I'm a happy bunny and so pleased for them. They have the rumba next week then.

Yeah and the other one should be either Qucikstep or Tango...

I don't know which one would be better - QS may expose height differences... but can imagine the feet doing overtime

Tango I think could be good as Claudia can do the mood as per the AT.

I'd rather they skipped the Rumba and did the QS and Tango, but I guess they couldn't have

So rumba and tango then? It's gong to be hard for them to get through to the final whatever they do.

Think either a quickstep or tango could be great for her, so so happy they got through though and loved their reaction Next week will be difficult and Danny has two fairly show stopping dances.

Yes, the producers have certainly helped Danny that's for sure.

Brendan was complimentary about Claudia and AJ in his DS Blog

Must be a blue moon or something

Yellowlabbie faints.

Yes I am so happy for them!!! Hopefully they are peaking at the right time!!

Next week will be a tough one - my best hope will be a Louise v Ore dance off as I think they would save Ore over Claudia I'm hoping for a Claudia (of course). Danny and Louise final now!!

So happy they're through! And I don't want Claudia to ever take the lion face paint off


Not happy they have the rumba. And neither tango or QS are really showstoppers either. I'd prefer QS though as I think that has the potential to score really high for her and a good QS can be a vote winner. I don't want to be defeatist but I don't like her chances of getting past next week She will have to stay out of the D/O imo otherwise I don't like her chances. So I have low expectations and anything else will be a bonus.


Not that he needs any!

I really want her in the final, but I just don't think it's going to happen. It will be her Vs Ore or Louise, and the judges are just more positively disposed to both of them (no conspiracy, just preference). She will have to dance Ore or Louise out of the water, the judges will be looking for any tiny reason to pick Ore/Louise over her.

I fear you're right. I had this same feeling last year with Gleb & Anita Come on Universe... do something!

AJ's chat on the radio.


He told the radio station it will be a romantic rumba and a quick quickstep. (The Quickstep will be traditional dress. AJ in tails etc)

The two extremes. They looked at the rumba last week to give Claudia a feel for the dance.

So it is now all down to the music.!!

[quote=hannah 01.;84797468]AJ's chat on the radio.


He told the radio station it will be a romantic rumba and a quick quickstep. (The Quickstep will be traditional dress. AJ in tails etc)

The two extremes. They looked at the rumba last week to give Claudia a feel for the dance.

So it is now all down to the music.!![/QUOTE]

I'm actually pleased its the QS over the Tango, think it's a more crowd pleasing dance.

BIB- Yep!!! Music will make a massive difference, if its a traditional QS hopefully we will get proper 'traditional' QS music!! I would love Ed Sheeran - Thinking out loud for their Rumba - not that I've given this much thought or anything great song though.

Hi everyone!

Long-time lurker of this forum but finally signed up the other day!

Big fan of Claudia and was so glad she finally got a much-deserved 10!

Really hope she gets through next week. Think she could do a really good Q/S and rumba (previous gymnasts on DWTS have done really well at it e.g. lines, balance, fluidity etc.) so hopefully she gets through!

I was concerned about the Rumba at first, but if they give it a youthful and romantic feel (rather than a hot and heavy feel) it could be really good. Even Darcy complimented them for the romantic feel in their VW and Foxtrot.

I adored Nastia's rumba. Seriously gorgeous.

Obviously Claudia is far more similar in height and build to Shawn Johnson though - but I still think it could be a graceful and romantic rumba.

Me too, I loved Gleb and Anita.