Craig Revel-Horwood, the judge for Strictly Come Dancing, has opened up about a part he played in the background that fans may not have known.
Ahead of the Strictly Come Dancing launch show on Saturday, Craig Revel Horwood, the show’s longest-serving judge, has revealed a secret role that flips the dynamic between the judge and contestants.
When asked what standout moment from the previous year’s series, Craig claimed that Chris McCausland’s coaching experience made the decision. Each judge coached one of the couples for their first dance, as seen in the episode, and Craig was paired with Chris and Dianne Buswell, his partner. However, the judge has now revealed that this is the first time the judges can learn from the contestants, as opposed to the majority of the series, where the judges typically get advice from the contestants.
“Coach Chris McCausland was my standout moment before the final,” Craig said. “Throughout the entire series, I realized how challenging it was for him.” After spending time with him, he taught me things that I didn’t know.
Chris and Dianne’s Couple’s Choice to Instant Karma by John Lennon was the subject of the dance. In order for viewers to see what it’s like to be blind like Chris, the dance had a section where all the lights in the studio were off. In their response, Craig was not the only judge to mention Chris. In fact, every other judge praised Chris’ commitment to the program as a highlight.
Head judge Shirley Ballas said his waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone was “simply phenomenal”. “Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell’s Waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone will forever be etched in my heart. I often take myself back to that moment, seeing Chris waltz. That partnership was something else, and Dianne’s teaching throughout the series was simply phenomenal.”
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The same waltz was chosen by Motsi Mabuse. It made us shiver,” she said. She said, “It was just incredible.” Strictly is all about the emotion, the connection, the way the story came across. It was one of those performances that stayed with you for a long time after the music stopped.
Anton Du Beke, who was first a pro dancer and took over as a judge following the departure of Bruno Tonioli, put it more simply: “For me it was anything that Chris did. He was just fantastic, in every single dance.”
Given that he has been on the show with his judge’s paddles since the beginning, Craig was also questioned about how it felt to return to the program for another series. He said, “This is my 21st year on the show, and it’s been absolutely amazing.” “Every year still manages to surprise me.”
People frequently inquire as to whether or not I ever get bored, but I refuse. Strictly’s cast is constantly evolving, which is beautiful. We now have some incredible celebrities, and I think we have a whole new generation of y and y in particular this year.
Ellie Goldstein, the first Strictly contestant with Down syndrome, and La Voix, the first drag queen to compete on a full series of the show, make up the contestants this year. Lewis Cope, an Emmerdale actor, intervened at the last minute after Kristian Nairn left Game of Thrones to join the cast.
On September 20th, BBC 1 will re-air Strictly Come Dancing.
