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Debbie McGee battles back injury ahead of Strictly salsa with Giovanni Pernice

Injury is always a risk on Strictly

Every minute of rehearsal time counts when it comes to Strictly Come Dancing.

So no doubt Debbie McGee is feeling frustrated after a back injury has impacted on her training for this weekend’s salsa routine.

The 59-year-old revealed she injured her back this week and hasn’t been able to fully practice the lifts in the routine with partner Giovanni Pernice.

Nightmare!

Debbie said in her Telegraph column: “Our narrative for the salsa is that I’m an optician and I’m giving Giovanni an eye test.

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“I’ve had to work much harder with this dance. The hip wiggle is a figure of eight and you’ve got to make sure that the fringing on your dress moves about!

“We’ve got three lifts, but I’ve injured my back again so we haven’t been able to practice them much. I couldn’t even get up out of a chair earlier in the week.

“But that’s the Strictly journey I suppose.”

Get better soon, Debbie!

There are high expectations for Debbie and Giovanni’s next routine after they scored the FIRST perfect 40 of the series last week.

They wowed the judges and audience with a flawless tango that had judge Craig Revel Horwood leave his seat, approach them and bow down in amazement.

“That’s a first!” joked Tess Daly.

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Talking on spinoff show It Takes Two, Debbie quipped: “I’m used to men being on their knees – just not Craig!”

She added: “It’s surreal and still feels it. It’s the best thing that could possibly happen to you on Strictly.”

But can she make it two perfect scores in a row?!

We’ll find out on Saturday night!


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor