Happy New Year Huph. Yes - it's a very exciting year. He is dancing every single month of 2017 as far as I can work out. Here's hoping he discovers a new enthusiasm for leafy green vegetables to keep him healthy for all that work.

I have no objection talking about Laura as I loved her dancing partnership with Gio but I don't wish to have all the negative stuff gone over again and again. Laura has ended the speculation by saying that she and Gio like each other which I never doubted but it was good to hear her say on TV. That subject should be no more.

I think a good holiday will be required he finishes in July.

Laura has moved on to focus on her acting in 2017 - hope it goes well for her.


Rather scarily.. Gio will have only a week or so after the Dance is Life tour and before the Pro rehearsals start in August.

I hope so. It will be interesting to see if she has more acting work in the pipeline or whether she will return to presenting/hosting.

Do the pro rehearsals go on for the whole of August?

Happy New Year all

Looking forward to sharing in all the news of Gio's various projects this year, starting with the Strictly Tour. I loved reading all the reports last year, by the time I got to see it at Wembley I pretty much knew the script!

I think this is my 1,000th post and it's been a long time coming, so I thought I'd mark it with one of my personal highlights from last year - all the more so because I took the photo

It's shame he can't take Aldo Zilli on tour with him as his personal chef

Good photo I remember you said that you went to this on the old GG thread. Georgia was there too I think.

Lovely pic, you were certainly close to them

Thanks Chris, yes Georgia was there and I saw them walking in together with Joanne, just as I arrived. The Chilli Fiesta is annual event so possibly another one to squeeze into the bulging diary...!

Wow.. that photo is simply amazing. I think I saw some video clips but somehow that shot captures the energy of the dance brilliantly.

The dates for 2017 are 11-13 August.... and I see a leetle picture of Gio and Jo on their webpage.. Is that from the proms?

https://www.westdean.org.uk/gardens/.../chilli-fiesta

'Dance and Music acts to be confirmed....' You might be on to something there!

Even more need for the green veggies

Gio is now watching Dirty Dancing. That is the third film clip. Another hint about his show or am I reading too much into all this film watching?

It tells you he is back in the Uk for sure because that is the logo for Channel 5 plus 1.

I think it's research. So he is thinking about how dance choreo comes across on film.... or something like that.

You are more observant than I am. Good detective work.

I very much agree with you issfan, all this negativite stuff should be put to rest.
I started following this thread because it was all about Giovanni and appreciation of his works and I very much hope it stays that way.

We can't change the past . Time to move on and look positively to the future.

All the best for 2017

Thank you Laila_Sant. I was so glad LadyLavender started this thread which has been such a positive place. I felt I had to speak out as I don't want that to change. I was glad Gio was featured in the final and on the Xmas special. I loved his cha cha with Katya and his AS with Karen to White Xmas It reminded everyone what a great dancer he is. There should be much to celebrate this year and a lot to be positive about.

I hope 2017 is a good one for you too.

I appreciate that your posts have been positive and looking ahead to Giovanni's success and happiness . As he quoted on Twitter : p365 of 365 is done and he is ready to write new pages. Let's help him write good ones by appreciating his talents , I do believe he is a nice individual. Everyone makes mistake in their lifetime, let's not forget he is only 26 yrs old. Let's not dwell on past mistakes and look positively to what he brings in the future. I hope the happy Giovanni appreciation vibes will continue, as this thread was especially dedicated for that purpose. Here's hoping negative vibes will just disappear.>:

It always give me great pleasure to read everyone's positive and some funny posts here and want to really send a massive Thank You to Lady Lavender for starting this

Nice post Laila and especially agree with your last sentence

My only contribution to the social media discussion in previous posts is that I'm glad it wasn't around in my twenties! It is a double-edged sword and must be a learning curve for those relatively new to fame.

Anyway, Gio's recent movie viewings do seem like research of some kind. Could be ideas for new routines for the various shows coming up, like the Cruises, Donaheys and so on. The link below is from last Feb and shows him and Jo practising the salsa/samba routine I saw at the fiesta and I think they did on the cruise too:
https://twitter.com/joanneclifton/st...75868999847936

Just sharing this one as I hadn't seen it before...

Gio in Pudsey ears with the current Strictly Champ

Right must get on with stuff, just fallen down a rabbit hole of YouTube and surfing which is easily done! Back to work tomorrow :/

Lovely post Laila - that brought a smile to my face today.

The second smile was the picture that MissD posted of Gio in Pudsey ears - can't believe I had never seen that one before but it is definitely an 11 on the cute scale.

Your 20s are a time to reach out, try new things and challenge yourself. Not everything will go to plan, mistakes will be made, some projects will be brilliant and others will go totally pear-shaped. That is life. If you aren't making a few mistakes, then you aren't trying new things and pushing yourself. So I am happy to Appreciate the good stuff that Gio will do this year, but I am realistic and expect that along with the glorious sunshine will come the odd thundercloud as well. Or even a few

Mind you, I agree with MissD, I am very, very glad that I did not live my 20s under the glare of the media.... makes it much harder.

OT I am Appreciating the odd picture of Gorka at the gym that appears in my newsfeed... and thinking that it is time for Gio to get back to the weights again There is clearly going to be a bit of competition in the six-pack department. (OK - I am shallow )

https://www.instagram.com/p/BOvEKBOD...=gorka_marquez

That was a great link - enjoyed that samba. Even when they are just marking it out Joanne and Gio move with such fluidity.

I guess that Gio is choreographing group routines for the 6 dancers which is, presumably, a new skill for him?

OT I noticed that Laura Whitmore has indeed started rehearsals for her play today - she is rehearsing near the Old Vic somewhere in Waterloo. Everyone is back to work

Maybe having watched Gio doing these impressive lifts in his Cha Cha with Katyia in the final Gorka is maybe feeling he has to up his game. Just joking I am sure all the male pros have to work on their upper body strength. Gorka has posted a lot of photos of him working out not that anyone is complaining.

Enjoyed seeing this clip of Joanne and Gio practising. I was not a fan last year so I hadn't seen this one. Thank you.

I apologise for going completely off topic but if anybody is feeling less than perfect in the looks department and wished they looked more like someone on television this might help you feel more positive about how you feel about yourself.

https://twitter.com/susannareid100/s...60061268914177