Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood confronted on BBC over ‘shock’ pro allegations

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has admitted he was left ‘completely gobsmacked’ over the scandal surrounding the BBC One programme.

The beloved show has faced a storm of negative stories about the culture and treatment of contestants on the flagship programme, many emerging from stars who appeared on the show, including Love Island contestant Zara McDermott, TV personality Laura Whitmore and Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington.

The director general of the BBC has also apologised to contestants who have had an experience that ‘hasn’t been wholly positive’, after allegations against several professional dancers.

Amanda, 52, previously described her former dance partner Giovanni Pernice’s behaviour as ‘unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean’. He’s denied the claims, while a BBC investigation over behind-the-scenes misconduct grew.

Meanwhile, Graziano Di Prima shockingly quit the programme over allegations he ‘kicked and hit’ Zara and said he ‘deeply regrets’ the events that led to his departure.

‘That was a shock for me,’ Craig began on Thursday’s BBC Breakfast, talking about the scandal.

When probed on what it was that shocked him, the 59-year-old went on: ‘Just finding out what was happening at Strictly, the allegations.

‘I was completely gobsmacked by the whole thing.

‘And of course, I found out with the press, because the judges are kept very separate to all the contestants and all the pros, and the only time we ever see each other is when we are in passing going to the studio.

‘So you don’t really get an opportunity to know what happens in the rehearsal room, and that’s not part of our job.’

Craig also recalled his own ‘tough’ dance training, including a teacher who would ‘whack’ him with a cane.

‘Obviously that sort of teaching would not be available today, things have changed, we’ve come a long way in the 40 years since I’ve trained.’

Talking about the new series, which is rumoured to include Hannah Waddingham and Jordan North, Craig was quizzed on whether the competition would be effected by the ‘lid being lifted’ on the show.

He replied: ‘Training, everyone is different, and everyone has been brought up differently to train people, so what they learn they carry on into the training room.

‘But I think it’s a good thing that the BBC are going to have people in there as well, because they’re mediators as well.’

After the allegations emerged, the BBC announced major changes to support celebrity welfare, including that dance rehearsals will be monitored, with ‘a production team member present during training room rehearsals at all times.’

‘Further training’ will also be given to the production team and crew, and Strictly will be welcoming two new welfare workers: a Celebrity Welfare Producer and a Professional Dancer Welfare Producer. 

Craig continued: ‘I think it’s a good thing to have a third eye on the whole situation.’

He had previously expressed his shock at the situation, saying last month that the allegations were ‘complete news’ to him.

He said:‘For us it’s complete news. Every day that I read about something I think. that can’t be right.’

He then emphasised that he had ‘nothing to do’ with the accusations: ‘So I’ll wait and see what happens with the investigations, but certainly we have nothing to do with that.’

The judge also confirmed that he wasn’t worried about the future of the show, despite the calls that the dance competition shouldn’t continue.

‘I don’t think so because it’s one of those shows that belongs in the people’s hearts that are at home who love dancing, and there’s nothing better than seeing someone come from nothing and work hard and move up to being absolutely phenomenal.’