Natalie Gumede ‘keeps dancing’ despite back injury

Embargoed to 2015 Saturday October 19.

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BBC handout photo of Artem Chigvinstev and Natalie Gumede performing during rehearsals for the BBC programme Strictly Come Dancing. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Saturday October 19, 2013. See PA story SHOWBIZ Strictly. Photo credit should read: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire

NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption. — Embargoed to 2015 Saturday October 19. For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only. BBC handout photo of Artem Chigvinstev and Natalie Gumede performing during rehearsals for the BBC programme Strictly Come Dancing. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Saturday October 19, 2013. See PA story SHOWBIZ Strictly. Photo credit should read: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.

But the biggest victory of them all came for former Colne Park High student Natalie, who managed to deliver a stellar performance despite being diagnosed with bouts of sciatica.

Last week we reported fears that our Strictly star may have to pull out of the BBC competition after suffering a back injury while practising the quickstep.

But with determination and doctors’ consent, the 29-year-old managed to once again bag herself another set of high scores and exemplary comments – despite having missed two days of training.

Judge Bruno Tonioli said: “I can’t believe you delivered a dance of this standard in such a short time.”

And Craig Revel Horwood added: “I loved the fusion of quickstep and jazz – I thought that was done immaculately well.”

It wasn’t just Strictly success that Natalie was celebrating this week. The former Coronation Street villain also earned herself the title of “Best Bitch” at the Inside Soap Awards for her portrayal of Tyrone Dobbs’ abusive lover Kirsty Soames.

She wrote on Twitter: “Thank you to @itvcorrie @insidesoapmag and all viewers, readers and voters for my Best Bitch Award! What everyone already knew confirmed ;)”

Bookmakers are now backing Natalie and Sophie as the front-runners of Strictly Come Dancing.

Leading independent odds comparison site easyodds.com can reveal that Ellis-Bextor is now just 7/4 to win the show, with long term favourite Natalie Gumede also available at the same odds and a best price 9/4.

In the battle to avoid elimination from the show, actress Fiona Fullerton is being widely tipped to leave and is a best price 2/1 to be waving goodbye on Sunday. Also expected to struggle is Dragon’s Den panellist Deborah Meaden who is second favourite at 4/1 in this week’s easyodds elimination market.