Strictly’s Craig Revel Horwood was distinctly unimpressed when a former co-star suggested he has lost his “sparkle” and should be replaced with someone “spicier”.
The 60-year-old judge, who has proudly sat on the panel since the show first began in 2024, took to social media to address the remarks made by Ola Jordan.
Jordan served as a professional dancer on the show from 2006 to 2015, winning the coveted Glitterball trophy in 2009 with Chris Hollins.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, he wrote: ‘”Former Strictly pro Ola Jordan says ‘nicey nicey’ Craig Revel Horwood replaced with ‘spicier’ judge.” Maybe you’d like to suggest your wonderful husband Ola? @The_OlaJordan.”
He was referring to Jordan’s husband, James Jordan, another former Strictly professional who danced on the show for eight series and stepped away in 2012.
Since leaving, her other half has been very vocal in his criticism of the BBC dance competition.
Speaking in an interview with Mecca Bingo last year, Jordan said: ‘I feel like Craig’s lost his sparkle. People loved Craig for what he was before.
“He would say it as it is, saying he wasn’t good, that was rubbish, but it’s almost like he’s got to say a positive now.
She continued: “He’s obviously been told they’ve got to be positive and that they don’t want any negativity in the show and that comes from producers, but they need to look at what the public wants really. It’s too nicey nicey.’
She then suggested that perhaps there should be a shake-up on the panel: ‘They’re all the same every year, so maybe they need a new judge - someone with a bit more spice on the panel.
Jodan elaborated her point further, telling The Standard: “There's plenty of people that could sit on that panel. It would make it fresher every year with different kind of opinions and different eyes looking at it.”
