大象传媒

Weeks of training鈥� Buying dance shoes鈥μ� Booking tickets鈥� Private lessons鈥�

And now?

I have been withdrawn from Dancers In Need.

Unceremoniously cast asunder amidst a veritable plethora of red tape, rules and regulations.

The specifics I will keep personal but suffice to say the reasons are health related and something called risk management. A certain part of my body may be under strain during the dancing and thus pose an unsatisfactory risk.

I am pleased to report that this body glitch is temporary and soon to be rectified. I fully expect to be in full foxtrot mode for the next event鈥� should there be one.

I have a theory however.

My cha cha cha, in particular, was looking especially good. So good in fact that rumours were abound of a potential winning performance.

Now I am not one to gossip or suggest any foul play on behalf of my colleagues but is it possible I have been knobbled? Hoiked from the performance as a direct result of insecurities in others?

In truth it's highly unlikely but it's how I am consoling myself.

I will still be at the Spa on the night - production and editing of the music appears to be falling in my lap such is my determination to be a major part of Children In Need 2008, as I will be in 2009.

You know what they say鈥� where there's a waltz there's a way.

And it's farewell to Andrea too

Andrea 'drama diva' Davidson, our Broadcast Journalist/in-house dance tutor is also leaving the competition - having had the joy of teaching Luke Deal to dance over the last three weeks.

Andrea explains:

James's exit also means I leave the competition. I've been dancing for five years, and had agreed to take on our afternoon presenter, Luke Deal.

He's been getting on very nicely 鈥� but with James's partner Jenny now free, it seemed silly not to let Luke have a chance to dance with someone considerably better than me.

Hopefully, though, I've at least given him a good grounding in the waltz and cha cha (he very generously says I have).

I just wish Jenny the best of luck with his long legs 鈥� he never stood on my feet, but keeping up with his strides was often tricky.

I'm sure she'll lick him into shape soon enough, though.