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Craig Revel Horwood is never one to mince his words, and now he’s doubled down on his sharp-tongued critique of his fellow Strictly Come Dancing judges, past and present. In a fiery new interview, the famously blunt judge reignited drama behind the scenes of the beloved BBC show while promoting tickets for his upcoming tour.
Speaking to The Sun, Craig didn’t hold back when asked about the show's judging panel. “There is no other judge. I created it,” he declared. “They are either dead or have been sacked.” The remark was seen as a thinly veiled jab at former colleagues Len Goodman and Arlene Phillips, who were part of the original lineup when Strictly launched in 2004, alongside Craig and Bruno Tonioli.
While he reserved warm praise for his longtime friend Bruno, calling him the only judge he’s still close to, it didn’t take long before even that sentiment took a turn. “Working with him was torture,” Craig said with his trademark theatrical flair. “Come on, I’ve travelled with him and that was torture. Everyone says, ‘Are you going to do another travel show with Bruno?’ And I say, well, I think not, darling.”
He continued with a chuckle: “It was hilarious. He was constantly complaining. I am the calm, he is the chaos.”
But the real sting came in his comments about his current co-stars on the Strictly judging panel, Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse, none of whom escaped his cutting critique. Though he didn’t elaborate on specific grievances with the current lineup, his bold statement about being the show’s only true judge left little doubt about how he views their contributions.
Craig’s brash comments come as part of a publicity push for his latest live tour, where he embraces his role as the pantomime villain. Known for his famously low scores and scathing critiques on Strictly, the judge appears to be leaning fully into his reputation, and loving every second of it.
His no-holds-barred attitude may ruffle feathers, but it’s part of what’s made him a fixture on the show for over two decades. Whether audiences love him or loathe him, one thing is certain: Craig Revel Horwood isn’t changing for anyone, and he’s more than happy to play the villain in the glittering world of ballroom.
