They haven't sorted out a venue yet Issfan. Would your living room be available?

Definitely. I could move the furniture out. All fans welcome. What a good view we would get! We can but dream.

You might need to install a 'thud' mat as well ...

Enjoyed ITT tonight and the clips of the dances in training for Musicals Week - they are all looking very, very good to me. Excited about Ore and Jo Clifton's Foxtrot - it might be quite magical.

On the pro challenge, I wonder if Gio has his eye on this one? Jive being 'his favoreeet dance' as we know. I think I am tipping Gorka or Gio for the win on this.

I too think this might be a good week for Ore. Claudia could do well with the salsa too. She is so good at lifts.

Gio should do well with the jive challenge. I really hope he wins. I would love to see him do a real jive live with a pro partner who could match him. It would be incredible to watch.

Is it mean of me to want at least one new face in the Dance Off this week? I hate it when the show feels like an orderly procession to a pre-ordained outcome.

It is quite extraordinary seeing the speed of the competition jives that Gio did with Erika Attisano. Would be nice to see again as part of a pro routine on the show - why put all that practice for the Pro Challenge to waste

At least you'd get a proper salsa in there... no room for lifts or rushing round at speed
(I'm assuming you don't live in one of Scotland's many castles )

Yes I have seen Gio and Erika. I always get annoyed with the watered down stage choreography of the group dances. They should be highlighting the talent of pros like Gio properly. The pros have spent years training. We are not seeing them at their best
doing stage type routines every week.

On the topic of speedy jives... Gio's competition partner after Erika was Alexandra (Sasha) Koldan. Here they are in competition at the German Open Championships Grand Slam Latin in 2014.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLrf...cO36Oypg1Fctni

There are quite a few couples on the floor... but if you look top right at 0.23 and watch couple No 85.. you might spot a familiar pair of speedy feet

Yes.

Ideally, making them perform salsa in something akin to a hobbit hole would be excellent to BAN THE LIFTS.

Edit.
But...but.. the egg-and-spoon race they showed us last week was a personal highlight

The pros must just look at each other in despair at some of the routines.

And finally give AJ and Claudia the advantage

Haven't seen this before. Loved it. Many thanks LadyLavender.

Sadly it is not a castle. No room for QS I am afraid but he could manage a jive or a rumba.. Would that do?

Desperate times... desperate hobbit-hole shaped measures.

Anything to provide a note of surprise to Saturday.

Thanks for this

I always love seeing the pros at their best

Strictly for those who enjoy 'Where's Wally' puzzles....

From the same German Open Competition... the next round 4 (Jive). You are looking for couple No 85 again. Keep checking far right. Discerning viewers may enjoy Gio's attempt to charm the judges at 1.09

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jax...Fctni&index=62

I had not remembered until watching this again tonight. that the music is Reet Petite, which was allocated (or chosen) as Gio and Laura's Jive song this year. Such a great song.

It is sad we will never see Laura and Gio jive. Laura sounded so upbeat at the beginning of the week. What a great song too.

I have my fingers crossed that Laura dances some jive at the final as part of the group dance - they often try to work in a personal touch to the choreo.

I hope you are right. It would compensate for some of the disappointment of the jive week.

The remaining celebs were in the studio again rehearsing for a group number for Musicals week - there was a terrific routine last year so I am hoping that they conjure up something equally dramatic on Saturday.

Natalie Lowe posted a lovely group shot of the rehearsal for last week's Egg and Spoon sports day number. Gio and Anton on the back row with Natalie looking very 'exaited'

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNeNX4eA...dy_natalielowe

The routine wasn't my favourite - but it looks like the pro dancers had a ball rehearsing it. I think the blonde lady at the front is the choreographer, Jenny Tapps? And will someone please tell Chloe that it is Not OK to stick your tongue out.

Tonight's ITT had Pasha tipping Gio yet again for the Pro Challenge win.. there is a bit of a trend.

So.... it will probably be Anton for the win. Or Gorka. They like to surprise us.

Nice to see Gio liking on Instagram one of Gorka's positive quotes 'Do what makes you happy, and don't care what others think'.

Just seen on Facebook that Gio is at the theatre tonight with his agent Gavin Barker and Strictly's exec producer Louise Rainbow. It's the Sister Act gala night apparently, produced by Craig (I think), so there may well be other SCD folk there.

Anyway, talking of theatre...my tickets to Gio's show have arrived already, with meet and greet afterwards. Eek!

Thanks Miss D - Craig is also represented by Gavin Barker I think.

Hope Gio turns the charm volume up to 11 when chatting to the all powerful Ms Rainbow

OOOH TICKETS - and a Meet and Greet. Double Eek! Are you at an early show or one of the later ones?

Hope you can give a few headlines afterwards.

Edit: Robin Windsor is there as well..

End June so I guess one of the earlier ones, although some more dates could be added in before. You'll get a full report hehe, I might need one or two Proseccos between the show and the meet and greet I'm hoping to take a few more people with me as I've got two tickets at the moment and others are interested. Have you decided if/where you're going yet?

Definitely going - have sent a PM to you Miss D.

I hadn't made the connection before - but I guess the Sister Act Gala is to support World Aids Day. A wonderful cause and it's good to see theatrical productions putting charity before profit. I think that means I can offically Appreciate Craig R-H as the Director of Sister Act - well, just for tonight anyway.