SCD '23 #19: In which we're crowning our Strictly champion!

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

Previous thread here.

Video thread. Please post videos on that thread, then link across to here to avoid buffering issues with this thread.

Same I agree @thebellagio …

I’ve always liked Gio.

It could well be a mix of things but do wonder if it’s tied up with her payment ….as she walked.

Just a pity it’s all ended on a sour note…

I will caveat my logic by saying I'm a huge Gio fan, he;'s my favourite pro. But no one actually knows her claim is against him, and not the strictly team itself.

We only know that she didn't thank him in her initial leaving statement, but he was certainly complimentary to her, and they certainly seemed that they got on OK from their insta/it takes two appearances.

@TheAverageJoanne I'm not sure sorry - you could probably use a VPN

Another thread about Amanda and Giovanni here - nothing new though

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4980517-amanda-and-giovanni?reply=132067400

Debbie McGee posted this on twitter

Found out I used to occasionally teach one of the pros on here. Not dance though!

Your 'c' option is pretty believable IMO. The only thing I still hesitate about is that she didn't thank Giovanni when she left. Obviously I don't know what that means, but I'm very sure it wasn't a mistake.

It could be c) plus a) @MarkWithaC

but so far nothing seems to excuse the systemic take down of Giovannis career when there’s no allegations to respond to.

the amount of people on this very site in the chat thread saying “I believe Amanda” is pissing me off.

believe what? There’s no allegations on either side. He’s not been accused of anything.

Yes, I agree. I haven't seen any of the press, so didn't know there was a takedown of Giovanni, but that's clearly unfair when really no one knows anything.

@MarkWithaC the sun and the DM have begun a character assassination on him

Again I agree @thebellagio

I really like both of them and was gutted when she withdrew as thought she was such a strong contender and had a real chance of winning.

He's a phenomenal dancer / choreographer (Ive never cried to a dance as I did with his silent dance with Rose) & doesn't hide his competitive side (& they must all be massively competitive to get where they are) so to see the media and others try to destroy him is most unfair.

If it turns out he's a horrible bully then I'll change my mind about him, but right now his reputation is being destroyed purely because of internet speculation, AA hasn't made any allegations at all (at least not publicly).

What I would like to know is if a couple aren't hitting it off (clash of personality etc), why the celeb can't request to change partner, given there are always spare male & female dancers in the team?

I believe AA is ridiculous when she hasn’t even said anything.

What I would like to know is if a couple aren't hitting it off (clash of personality etc), why the celeb can't request to change partner, given there are always spare male & female dancers in the team

I’ve always wondered that as well.

there are going to be so many variables in the celebs and pros. Some people will be there purely to get themselves known and don’t really care about the dancing (e.g. the influencer peeps), some will be forced into it through contractual obligations (the bbc breakfast, EE lot), some are strictly super fans (Ritchie), others want to learn to dance and have fun, while others will be super competitive and desperate to win (eg Denise van outen).

the challenge for the producers is to match the pro to the celeb expectation and I expect the celebs are asked specifically, what do they want to get out of the show. I suspect AA said that she’s used to working hard long hours to get results, therefor on paper, they should have been a good match.

In comparison, someone like Katie Piper HAD to be matched to Gorka, who was ideal for her confidence, or the beautiful connection between Johannes and Annabel.

but sometimes if it’s clearly not working, there should be an option to switch, after all, what are the benched pros there for? We all saw how much better annastacia was with Gorka (?) than Brendan when he couldn’t dance, or how much better Alex Scott was with Kevin when Neil was injured… so there is precedent for it.

Again i agree @thebellagio - need to watch out as others will be thinking we're sock puppets

Is there any truth in a story that originated from The Sun/Daily Mail? Or use this another a "source" type story which is usually how the speculation starts?

It's all very odd. Neither of them have said anything though, have they?

The bbc have responded so something has been requested.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the corporation said: “The BBC offers a comprehensive range of support to all individuals taking part in our shows. Strictly Come Dancing has always taken duty of care incredibly seriously and there is a constant dialogue between senior members of the production team and the contestants to ensure any concerns are addressed swiftly.”

Strictly has a proud track record as a joyful, positive experience where robust support and assistance is always made available at every stage of the production,” the statement, obtained by The Mirror, read.

but there’s still no allegation of any wrong doing or bullying or anything. Who knows! Perhaps she wants the training footage so she can rewatch dances she learned! The point is no one knows anything so this witch hunt feels very unkind.

I do find it odd that not a single person involved in the show has come out in defence of Gio or the show in general. It does make me think they’ve all been asked to keep schtum.

• He's a phenomenal dancer / choreographer (Ive never cried to a dance as I did with his silent dance with Rose) & doesn't hide his competitive side (& they must all be massively competitive to get where they are) so to see the media and others try to destroy him is most unfair.

If it turns out he's a horrible bully then I'll change my mind about him, but right now his reputation is being destroyed purely because of internet speculation, AA hasn't made any allegations at all (at least not publicly).*

This
& I just recall his amazing kindness and all round good sport (& Luba too ) when my DS who was 8/9 at the time saw them at Paddington Station before they boarded the same train as DS and DH to Cardiff and DS spent 10 mins chatting away and interrogating him (as only children can) and he awesome !

Nobody's ever switched partners on Strictly apart from the couple of occasions mentioned where a pro was injured and temporarily subbed. But Caprice on Dancing on Ice had a spectacular bust up with LovelyHamish which made the Amanda/Giovanni contretemps look like a vicarage tea party. He was replaced at short notice with a random outsider and she was immediately voted off.

https://metro.co.uk/2020/01/26/dancing-ice-2020-caprice-bourret-hamish-gaman-change-partners-gaslighting-12125659/#:~:text=Why%20are%20Caprice%20Bourret%20and,'&text=A%20source%20told%20The%20Sun,on%20they%20became%20more%20strained.

Ooh I remember the Caprice partner swap!
I have read the other thread but cba to contribute.
Not like me
Especially when there are various errors on there.
I did wonder about the timing - aren't they starting to look at contracts? Thought Brenda's departure was announced early doors to prepare fans.
If there's an axe to grind or a complaint that hasn't been followed up, you'd want to make a fuss now if the aim is for that pro not to get re-signed.
Had I been on production, I'd have had Giovanni partnered on the Xmas Strictly, too. What's interesting to me is the he said-she said nature of the finale. Did she refuse to return or did they refuse to have her back? If the latter, on what grounds? (if she requested a Lulu Dancing by Myself or AnyonebutGio partner?)
Do Strictly alumni/pros have anything close to NDAs?
It's so weird how things come out/leak but few actually spill the beans properly.
Two other clashes swept under the carpet sharpish were Steve/Ola and Danny/Amy.
SOMEONE must know the tea!!! or where the bodies are buried
I'd buy Confessions from the dance floor by any runners/secret insiders in a heartbeat!

Good point about Danny and Amy. That was another huge fall out as well. I seem to recall he made her cry on ITT and the other cast came out saying he hadn’t been very nice.

Who was Steve (with Ola) @SequinsandStiIettos ?

Steve Backshall - allegedly complained that Ola was impatient/rude. He was her penultimate partner before she left (after first boot Iwan Thomas).

With Brendan he made Sarah Manners cry repeatedly and James Jordan threw a chair at Georgina Bousova and called her fat

Oh and I remember Patsy And Anton really not getting on and then Anton said a racial slur about Leila I think?

Point being it's happened before but it's always been "ridden out" up til this.

Yes but how?
There's been the odd leak/comment to the press but no-one has ever really taken production to task or stepped out the Strictly bubble to call complete BS.
Is that because they still need the contacts and to work for the Beeb or they're worried about being "blacklisted"/deemed "difficult"/Not able to cut it? (See Chris Eccleston). Think the nearest you've had to whistle-blowing for want of a better word was Laura and Danny's interviews. This one is stranger still as it's all in what's not been said.