Strictly Come Dancing

GrandmaMiney - your big generous heart has brought a tear to these rheumy old eyes to you too and good luck in Blackpool.

All together 'Ahhhhhhhhhhhh'.
I too hope Susannah wins - not that I watch the programme, but I do like her on the telly with the lovely Billy. I will be far away on the other side of the world, so will have to log onto GN to discover who has won

Specki I have just had another look at the photos of your pics; they are indeed, amazing. Respect from me too

Blackpool sounds so exciting, but I'll be sending my positive vibes through the airwaves as usual! Whenever I went to support my younger son (who will be there on Saturday) in a rugby match--they lost. Not that I'm superstitious or anything but I can't risk being in the SCD studio!
And they take your phones away, so I couldn't vote--can't risk that in week 8 either

thanks Gally. At this precise moment I'm painting portraits of my grandchildren for my sons' birthdays - trees are easier!

Has anyone said this but aren't Tess and Claudia a great team? Claudia is such a comedienne..

I didn't know that the studio audience couldn't vote. Seems rather unfair! I agree, specki, Tess and Claudia should get the job of presenting Strictly. By the way, did anyone say why Bruce wasn't there on Saturday? Did I miss something?

they said he was ill. perhaps C & T are spiking his cocoa

Speki I am another one who has had a look at your paintings. They are stunning even tho, I am sure, the small pictures do not do them full justice.

I haven't watched all of it but I do think the guy from Casualty [Patrick?] is a sexy dancer [swoon emoticon]

Speki, I too have had a look at your paintings. They are amazing. The one of the market at Lalinde brought back some lovely memories, it's beautiful. You are very talented.

I am not 100% certain but I thought that the powers that be wanted Bruce to rest so that he was on form for Blackpool.

There's been a photo in the paper of him and Mrs F on holiday in Italy and he was said to have flu!

I saw that too Lona

I thought his Bruce's contract now allowed him not to present a couple of the Strictly programmes. I know he had flu a couple of weeks ago, but I thought Week 7 was a 'planned' absence.
His age is not SO far away from some of us any more so, as we've been recognising 'respect', I think he deserves a bit as well.
Although I do think Claudia W is great! Maybe there is a bit of succession planning in progress?

There's 'flu' when we mere mortals are laid low for more than a few days, take ages to get over it, sound terrible, look like death warmed up when we stagger back to work....and there's celeb 'flu' which is the excuse given for why they're not doing whatever they normally do but would you believe it they're back again in a few days looking chipper, with no signs of a cough or husky voice?

Maybe they should have had the celeb 'flu' jab?

I think Tess and Claudia are really good together - but I do wish Claudia would wear something a bit more grown-up than those dolly dresses, and would re-think her makeup! She's been sporting that 60s look for years now...

Oh please make Claudia lose that white lipstick and get her fringe cut! The small animal peeping out through the undergrowth look doesn't work for anyone over the age of 12.

Nine couples on their way to Blackpool to orient themselves for this weekend's SCD. Glad Natalie has recovered.
DD's nerves on high alert as Team Kevanna train for their Paso Doble (to music from Carmen). I so hope the fire of the PD gets them through at the Tower.
I need an emoticon for high anxiety--and I'm not joking

I used to go through agonies when my DD was competing in gymnastics GrandmaMiney It's the fact that you can only watch and can't do anything to help. I'm sure the Paso Doble will be brilliant

Grandma Miney hope Susannah has packed her thermals it is a bit chilly here in Blackpool today. I know she will love dancing at the Tower Ballroom .It is such an iconic building . Good luck to her

Perhaps she could borrow those thick yellow tights that Anne Widdecombe wore

Thank you seasider. I've gone all quiet because my nerves are in pieces. I thought it would get easier as the weeks went on. But it doesn't. Each week starts with a new set of nerves for the new dance, and the crescendo grows all through Saturday. Waiting for Sunday's results is terrible.
Some people have hinted at the possibility of a 'shock exit' this weekend. So, forgive me, I'm asking fellow gransnetters (unless otherwise committed of course) to vote for DD & Kevin--if their dance is worth it.
They are all filmed the whole time they are training, and have no say in the bits that are shown! Despite trying to release her tension with a bit of 'silliness' I know how incredibly hard they work--and just hope she's mastered 'The Paso Doble Walk' by tonight

Well done! Nice shot of you watching I thought!

whoopee I loved Susannah's dance. You must be so proud GrandmaMiney.

What a great Paso. I'm no expert but I loved it and so did DH who is supposed to hate Strictly but never misses it!