‘They’re out to pasture’: Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood makes thinly-veiled dig at pros as he claims the show ‘is NOT a real dance competition’
Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has made a thinly-veiled dig at the professional dancers as he claimed ‘they’re out to pasture’.
In a new interview, the controversial choreographer, 55, insisted the ballroom stars are ‘no longer good enough’ to participate in dance tournaments and declared the BBC One show ‘isn’t a real competition’.
The outspoken TV panellist said: ‘With Strictly Come Dancing, I’m judging a television show, it’s not a real [dance] competition. It’s celebrities trying to dance with professionals, who have danced all their lives.’
Criticism: Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has made a thinly-veiled dig at the professional dancers as he claimed ‘they’re out to pasture’ (pictured on this week’s show)
Sharing his thoughts on the professionals’ involvement in the series, the conductor told The Sun: ‘They’re out to pasture. They’re no longer good enough to compete.
‘They have to go through that process, then you go on to Strictly and pass your valuable information on to your partner.’
According to the publication, the media personality also described his stint on the award-winning series as ‘just a Saturday job’.
In a new interview, the controversial choreographer, 55, insisted the ballroom stars (pictured) are ‘no longer good enough’ to participate in dance tournaments
Harsh: The outspoken TV panellist also declared the BBC One show ‘isn’t a real competition’ (Nicola Adams and Katya Jones pictured on this week’s edition)
MailOnline has contacted representatives for BBC and Craig for further comment.
This year’s edition sees the likes of Katya Jones, Aljaž Škorjanec and Dianne Buswell take to the floor with their respective celebrity partners Nicola Adams, Clara Amfo and Max George.
In 2019, it was reported that the pros called for Craig to quit show after his ‘hurtful’ jibe that celebs ‘should sleep with their dance partners if they want to win’ – a joke he made at the expense of 2018 champ Stacey Dooley and co-star Kevin Clifton.
Candid: The media personality is said to have described his stint on the award-winning series as ‘just a Saturday job’ (pictured on last week’s show)
The media personality was said to have been forced to issue an apology by show bosses at the time.
Ex-Strictly star Kevin, 38, and journalist Stacey, 33, caused shockwaves back in April last year when it was revealed they were dating, but have since kept their relationship out of the spotlight.
Their relationship had been marred with controversy as she was in a five-year romance with personal trainer Sam Tucknott, 31, when she joined the show.
In hot water: In 2019, Craig made a ‘hurtful’ jibe about 2018 champ Stacey Dooley and ex pro Kevin Clifton (pictured) that celebs ‘should sleep with their dance partners if they want to win’