Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood dismisses show controversy and says it’s ‘above that’
STRICTLY Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has dismissed the controversy surrounding the show.
The star, 59, insisted it won’t spoil the upcoming 20th anniversary – despite a series of allegations about the treatment of contestants.
Asked if the series would be marred by this, Craig told the PA news agency: “No. Strictly is beyond all of that.
He added: “That (the allegations) certainly has nothing to do with me or the judges. We go in on Saturday, (I) judge what I see and then I go home.”
The show came under scrutiny last year when Sherlock star Amanda Abbington, 50, quit the series just five weeks in.
Amanda then launched a complaint against her dance partner Giovanni Pernice, accusing him of being “abusive, cruel and mean”.
The dancer, 33, who quit the BBC show after nine years in May, has denied any wrongdoing.
It is believed six people were spoken to during the probe, including Laura Whitmore, Giovanni’s dance partner in 2016.
The BBC spent three months investigating the dancer and the report was due to be revealed earlier this month.
Speaking previousl on the situation, Craig said: “We want the results sooner rather than later.”
But he added: “It’s not just the BBC, though, is it? The BBC is in the public eye because of its public funding. ITV has the same issues.”
Amid the investigation, fellow Strictly pro Graziano Di Prima was sacked by the BBC for gross misconduct after it emerged he kicked his celebrity partner Zara McDermott last year.
The Sun went on to reveal how the BBC received two complaints about him but they were swept aside.
He has since returned to his normal job, working for £6 an hour on a farm in his native Italy.
Earlier this month, the full 2024 lineup was revealed for when the show returns to screens later this year.
Only six women are competing in this year’s programme and there are nine men taking part.