Flavia Cacace's blog by Flavia_Cacace

Well as the saying goes “All good things must come to an end”, but I also feel that this is only the beginning and out of this year’s experience they’ll be a whole host of even greater opportunities. I feel very lucky that my experience on Strictly this year has been so fulfilling. Both as a dancer and choreographer, I've been able to push my imagination and boundaries to an extreme, although luckily the BBC kept some of my ideas under control, or maybe not (Lol)! What a show Wembley was!!! The biggest in Strictly history and I am so pleased to have been a part of it. As Len said I think our dance especially Russell’s entrance will never be forgotten and in some ways was the perfect exit for us.

I cannot decide which was my favourite dance. I actually think I loved them all, that's probably because Russell was such a delight as a dance partner. We were on such the same wavelength with regard to music which we loved and the ideas I came up with, were embellished by Russell in his own unique way. It's emotional to think back at our 8 unique dances, and unbelievable to think we managed to put them together in such a short number of days considering all the travelling to Wales and back. I have to say that I believe part of our success was probably the down to fact that we trained in such an inspirational place, so full of beauty and so peaceful and far from the chaos of the BBC studio.

The Memorial Hall was perfect for us and we had the most wonderful supportive and helpful people around us. I have to mention Myra who was just a delight, like a little like Mary Poppins, and any props we needed she would provide and it made such a difference. I'm normally very critical of what I do and always think that I could have done better sometimes. But I have to say and this is a first, I'm so happy at the way I tackled our partnership, it was very clear in my head from the beginning where I wanted us to go. And I feel that I managed to balance entertainment with actual dance skills, which is not always the easiest thing to do.

We even got a credit in the 'Dancing Times' which is a very credible dance magazine and which I'm very proud of. It said something along the lines of 'Russell and Flavia great entertainment without sacrificing the dance'. Russell and I never had a dull moment, so many giggles, I loved the fact he found me so funny and I often had him in stiches. Even when things were stressful and we were so tired, we never had a bad word to say to each other. We were supporting each other all the way. We did have hard times as everyone does during the show especially with Russell's knee and not knowing if we could continue. He was such a star and what got him through it in the end was his own will power and love of what he was doing. It's been a totally memorable experience I will never forget and hopefully people will look back in years to come and it will continue putting a smile on their faces. I know I’ll be smiling whenever I think back.

Russell is a very talented performer and has such a way with people. He is loveable and genuinely kind and always ready to help, and I'm so lucky because he's my friend forever. He is being inundated with offers left right and centre and rightly so. There are so many exciting projects that hopefully we will both be involved in together in the future, so watch this space. I have to say a huge thank you to all the supporters out there who have given us the confidence to continue week after week. Even those who were slightly reluctant to begin with but changed their minds as the show went on. A special thank you to those (you know who you are) who set up Team Flavant so early on and believed in us before we had even started. And of course the Flavettes for their continued love and support. It means so much to me and for each and every one of you for tweeting, emailing messages full of sweet and appreciative words. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Last but not least I could not have done it without the support of my family and Jimi who have lived the whole experience with me. The competition is hot now and we will all have to wait and see how things develop with only 4 weeks left. But I'll be back a week on Saturday with the other pros and Team Flavant will see you all again for the final in Blackpool. Midnight Tango is just around the corner and I cannot wait to get stuck in. And I'm looking forward to Mama Rose coming to watch.....I will be nervous.... Thank you all again and enjoy the rest of the series. FC xxxxxx