Just seen the news about Brendan. I am gutted but a little relieved as he did look absolutely ghastly last week. Just shows what a trouper he is to have danced despite having a lung infection which I don't think you get over with a handful of pills and one day off.

Wish you better soon Brendan. Poor old Strictly is certainly having a bad time this year which is a pity because I think that as far as contestants are concerned, it is a bit of a vintage crop, even without the bloke who walked off two weeks ago. Are we no longer allowed to mention his name?

Why is SCD having a bad time this year?

Apart from Anastacia''s lifeline, Will Young's (yes, I mentioned his name) sudden departure, Brandon's lung infection and accusations about racist voting I think it's been a great series so far.

It's dying a death this year.I've now decided I want Leslie and Anton to win,now that would shake things up a bit

Poor old Strictly indeed. There is a piece in the Mail (I know) that claims about 5 of the other Pro's are suffering with a virus as well as poorly Brendan. The list includes Katya, Anton and Ajaz, who all still have partners still in the comp.

But it is in the Mail, so it could all be bolleaux!

Mentioned on Radio 4 this morning.

The BBC themselves mentioned there is a slight (stress slight) concern, that if anymore people report in today under the weather, or are so bad they can't compete today, then show might be cancelled.

I saw this on the front page of The Sun too.

Not mentioned in your list, but non specific tweets from Laura and Giovanni on Thursday and yesterday suggest that all is not well, so possibly illness there too ?

Sickly come dancing
could be a theme week
points will be awarded for the most tasteful display of crepe bandages, or for a laminated sick note forbidding physical activity, from mummy. The band will be asked to play a bit louder to cover coughs and moans.

Reminds me of, I think it was the series with Letitia Dean? Everyone came down with some horrible virus. I do remember one of the ladie celebs had to leave while the judges were giving comments to throw up.

Well,Anton looked & sounded in fine health last night on ITT.

What about the year both Robin and Brendan took turns to be poorly and danced with other partners?

Bolleaux...a word I may adopt!

I saw the piece in the Mail, and it does seem as if Strictly Sickly (or vice versa) is teetering this week. If this viral thing/lurgy is doing the rounds, with people falling like flies, however might a full show be done? But, it was the Mail, so perhaps it's not to be taken too, too seriously.

are you saying they spread some kind of 'social' disease?

This all sounds like media spin to me. Brendan is obviously genuine, but Anton looked fine on ITT last night.

Apparently Ed is feeling a bit down because no one wants socialise with him.

My thoughts, he was fine last night.

There is a cold going around st the moment.

Brendan is ill.

BBC themselves mentioned it on Radio 4 this morning, so clearly there must be some sort of a bug, which may either be better or worse today.

5 reported 'doubtful' all pro dancers.

Even with plenty of reserve pros (as 4 celebs have already departed- 3 voted off, one refusal) it would be disconserting for celebs to be partnered up with people they hadn't been practising with.

Come on, it's in the Mail, so is mildly related to the truth.
As there is a virus, it would only be sensible for a meeting to organise what happens if others are ill. The papers would then be " Strictly chiefs in crisis meeting. Show in virus chaos".

I think Oksana could definitely be added to the sick list as she had almost lost her voice on ITT. Anton looked and sounded OK though. They still have a few 'spare dancers that could step in - Pasha, Neil and Chloe spring to mind. Perhaps they should all start dancing in face masks so as not to spread the dreaded lurgy! Just the sort of thing I could imagine Claudia W. doing.

Think the original title of this thread was to draw us into reading it.

However it is same old having a go at Will in a different form. " oooh (coyly) can we mention the name"

The thread has been closed

Time to try someone else - a few left untouched

Wonder what can be dredged up on those contestants remaining. ( I use the word dredged literally)

Yes, a not very subtle way of trying to keep the Will bashing going , sorry Penelope, better luck next time.

Well it's not all bad news, I read this morning that Bruce says he won't be making any further television appearances as he continues to make a recovery from his operation. So he won't be appearing in Children in Need or the Christmas Strictly show.

I think it best for all concerned that he concentrates on his health and that Strictly continues to move on.

The later's been around for years ever since DJ Spoony got the boot in week three of series four (despite there being two ladies in the competition who were utterly crap on the same night) and he cried it. Funnily enough that series was won by one of ones won by ethnically mixed contestant.

The Sun even less reliable than The Mail so much so that it's lies have lead to it being boycotted by an entire CITY.

However Laura and Giovanni I'm inclined to believe.

Which is odd because he seems quite popular in Claud nine (or the Claudautrium as other call but I like mine variant only partially because I can actually spell it).

That's the one and only time I remember thinking that racism might have had a part to play in the voting. As I recall, he showed some promise, but was given the boot very early.