Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has spoken out about the controversy surrounding the show’s professional dancers, emphasizing that the training for the competition “has to be tough.” Revel Horwood’s comments come in the wake of allegations of bullying made by celebrity contestants Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott during their time on the show.
The judge, who has been a dancer for over 40 years, defended the rigorous training process, stating that contestants who cannot handle the level of commitment required “shouldn’t be there.” He compared the training to that of an Olympic athlete, emphasizing the physical and mental demands of the competition.
The allegations of bullying have cast a shadow over the show, with McDermott describing “distressing” incidents in the training room and Abbington accusing her partner of being “unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean.” The BBC’s director general, Tim Davie, has issued an apology to contestants who have had negative experiences on the show.
Despite the controversy, Revel Horwood expressed hope that the allegations would not tarnish the reputation of Strictly Come Dancing, which he described as a “wonderful institution” that families can enjoy together. He urged viewers to wait for the results of the investigation before passing judgment on the situation.
As the show continues without the accused dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, Revel Horwood’s comments shed light on the intense training and commitment required to compete on Strictly Come Dancing.
