Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas are judges on Strictly(Image: (Image: BBC))

BBC Strictly's Craig Revel Horwood shuts down rumours of 'feud' with co-star

by · DevonLive

The dance floor competition is scorching on Strictly Come Dancing, as the celebrity dancers make their way into the quarter-final. The dwindling number of celebrities fighting it out for the Glitterball trophy brings ever more intense scrutiny from the panel of judges.

Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke are not softening their critical eye as the contest intensifies, with Craig particularly known for his stringent standards on the BBC One dance extravaganza.

However, his recent critique of Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola's performance prompted host Claudia Winkleman to question if tension was simmering between the judge and contestant. Backstage at Strictly during a judges' briefing, Claudia took her chance to probe.

Claudia posed a question to Craig(Image: (Image: BBC))

"So, Craig I don't want us to fall out. Last week, you said Sarah was too perfect, this week you said there wasn't enough chemistry. Is there beef?" she enquired.

Nonetheless, Craig rapidly dismissed any notion of a feud. With a jestful nod to his fellow judge, he retorted: "Only between Shirley and I! You loved it didn't you?" To which Shirley confirmed: "I loved it!"

Continuing, Craig clarified his motivations behind his critiques shared on Saturday's live broadcast, emphasizing that each judge has their own "personal choice" in assessing the dancers' performances, reports the Express.

He added: "I loved it too, I just felt like there could have been a little bit more connection and that's all. That's my only beef, if you like, about it. I think she could have engaged her middle section of her body a little bit more, using her ribs as well as. She does tend to go a little bit square in there."

Craig Revel Horwood addressed the claim(Image: (Image: BBC))

The star concluded: "I mean, that's why there's four different people on the panel. I prefer one thing, and that's just a personal choice. Obviously, Shirley has every right to hand out those tens."

The Strictly Come Dancing quarter-final is due to take place on Saturday, 30 November. The results will determined who is going through to the semi-final, before the grand final takes place on 14 December.

The contestants still remaining in the competition at present are Chris McCausland, Pete Wicks, Sarah Hadland, Tasha Ghouri, Montell Douglas and JB Gill.

Strictly Come Dancing will be back this Saturday at 7.05pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.