BBC Strictly's Craig Revel Horwood admits changing judging style over 'cancel' fears

Strictly Come Dancing's Craig Revel Horwood has admitted to softening his famously prickly critiques, fearing they might now be construed as bullying.

Chatting with Radio Times, the Australian dance professional and television personality reflected on his stern approach in earlier seasons.

"I have changed my style of judging," he confessed, adding that his comments from 20 years ago were particularly severe: "I was really harsh 20 years ago. When I look back, I think, 'Ooh, that's cutting.'"

He expressed concern over today's reception of such blunt remarks, saying, "It would now be classed as bullying, and then I'd be cancelled."

However, he clarified his adjusted stance isn't due to the "fear of being cancelled" but rather a change in perspective, now adopting an approach that is "more like a teacher than a judge". His new method involves delivering critiques more gently, revealing, "I used to be very direct" but now Horwood ensures to "wrap the truth in a nice way."

Horwood's change in judgment style comes against a backdrop of various stars recounting negative experiences on the BBC One hit series. Actress Amanda Abbington, participating in 2023, previously lodged complaints about her dance partner on the show, Giovanni Pernice, reports OK!.

Following an investigation into these complaints, the BBC extended an apology to Abbington, substantiating some, though not all, of the raised concerns. The most series allegations of physical aggression were not upheld, however, and Pernice denies wrongdoing, claiming the investigation did not find him to be a bully.

Since the allegations, the show introduced new measures such as introducing chaperones during rehearsals.

"Things have to change," Craig declared, recognising the necessity for evolution during the cherished show's 20th-anniversary festivities. "These dancers are world champions they've been taught properly to win, and the only way you're going to achieve that is by someone driving you. That's embedded in their DNA, you can't just change that overnight."

"That's very different to a celebrity who's a novice coming in. Celebrities are sensitive because they're in the public domain. They've got reputations to protect and don't want to be seen looking stupid."

"So it's about having someone there in the room and guarding both the celebrity and the professional, and also encouraging the fact that it should be fun. They still need to be pushed because we can't get away from the fact that dancing is hard, but it's a light entertainment programme as well."

Craig went on to disclose his intention to compile all the negative remarks and alleged death threats he has received over the years into a forthcoming book, aiming to "shame them".

Strictly Come Dancing is available to watch on BBC Iplayer.