Flavia Cacace's blog by Flavia_Cacace

What a spooky show it was on Saturday! The Halloween special has become something of a legendary fixture in the Strictly calendar. Who can forget my dance with Jimi last year and those eyes!? This year the BBC pulled out all the stops, including Craig’s entrance on a broomstick from the gods and there were lots of tricks and treats to be had throughout the show. I think a big round of applause has to go to the make-up and costume teams for being so imaginative and creating such a Halloween theme, it really helped us all with our characters. I think the 'Grant' as it's been named (Russell's tail and behind) will live in Strictly history for some time!

Considering what a tricky week it was in so many ways, I think it went very well. It was quite a strange feeling going on first, totally different to going on last or towards the end. It's almost like we missed not having any adrenalin build up beforehand, as it's over before you know it. I never thought I'd say it, but going last feels good. Even though we were opening the show and that is no mean feat, we went out there and did our thing. I think Russell can be very proud of himself. So it’s the Paso Doble this week, a totally different feel to anything we have done before and again I think this dance will really suit Russell. I totally love it so far and we have a very unusual twist, again it’s a unique Paso with a unique concept and no doubt you will see a new dimension to our partnership yet again.

As has been reported, Russell did have some knee issues but he seems to have shaken them off and is ready to give 100% again. I think everybody who does Strictly has niggles along the way, it’s just part of the process. It’s easy to forget that none of the celebs have danced or trained like this before, so it can be quite a shock to the system. But I think under the circumstances they all do amazingly well and are all winners in their own ways. It’s Thursday and I’m writing this blog in the back of the car on the way down to London, it really is non-stop at the moment. I’ll then go straight on to training and then on to It Takes 2, with a few interviews along the way. No rest for the wicked but we wouldn't want it any other way. We just have got to keep going and doing our best, because you never know whether you’ll be still in the competition this time next week.

Driving down from Snowdonia the views are stunning. I love the autumn colours, I find them warm and comforting. It’s such a beautiful place here, so peaceful and tranquil and such incredibly warm people who are giving us wonderful support. Enjoy our Paso and the show on Saturday and thank you for your continued love. By the way if we get through this week, I think we have a real treat up our sleeves if we're allowed, so don’t forget to vote (hee hee). Love FC xxx