Strictly fans convinced they’ve spotted show feud after judges are seen ‘laughing’ after pro’s big moment
STRICTLY fans are convinced they’ve spotted a show feud after the judges were seen ‘laughing’ at a pro’s big moment.
An eyebrow-raising exchange between Craig Revel Horwood, 59, and Motsi Mabuse, 42, left viewers buzzing with curiosity after yesterday’s results show.
It was after pro dancer Carlos Gu, 30, took centre stage to advertise the show’s social media accounts, that cameras turned to the judging panel.
BBC viewers noticed Craig leaning toward Motsi, whispering something that left her in fits of laughter.
The moment didn’t go unnoticed, sparking a wave of speculation online.
One wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “What did Craig say to Motsi after Carlos did the Social media bit I wonder?”
Another asked, “What WAS Craig saying to Motsi after Carlos SM spot?”
Someone else said: “It looked a bit naughty I’d like to know what Craig and Motsi were giggling about as well – whatever he said made her properly laugh and we loved that!”
Just yesterday, Craig admitted canning his catty comments towards celebrity dancers over fears he will be cancelled.
The judge of 20 years gave a rare 10 score on Saturday and says he has toned down his Mr Nasty act following the Giovanni Pernice bullying scandal.
The Aussie star has binned his barbs for kinder words for contestants in this year’s series.
Viewers have already noticed his softer side and on Saturday he gave a perfect “10” score — to huge elation.
His new approach comes in the wake of the Giovanni Pernice-Amanda Abbington bullying probe, and Graziano Di Prima’s axe for appearing to kick Zara McDermott.
Craig said: “I have changed my style of judging.
“I was really harsh 20 years ago.
“When I look back, I think, ‘Ooh, that’s cutting.’
“I do still say what’s wrong, but you can wrap the truth in a nice way.
“It’s how can I reach out to them and help them to improve, rather than just saying, ‘This is wrong, that’s wrong’.
“I’m thinking more like a teacher than a judge.”
On Saturday Craig initially stayed stony-faced when he gave a “10” to Love Islander Tasha Ghouri and pro Aljaz Skorjanec, as they landed the first perfect 40 of the series for their American Smooth to Lewis Capaldi’s Someone You Loved.
Craig eventually broke into a smile as he was hugged by judges Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas alongside Anton Du Beke.
Strictly's full scandal so far
Strictly Come Dancing's scandal engulfed the show over the past few months, with several major players speaking out about what went on before the BBC came back with their findings. Here are the key moments of what's happened so far
16th May: Giovanni Pernice sensationally quits Strictly Come Dancing after nine years on the show.
17th May: Giovanni becomes the centre of an official investigation after three former partners – believed to be Amanda Abbington, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh – make complaints to the BBC.
16th June: Giovanni releases an official statement vowing to clear his name and denies any wrongdoing.
8th July: Strictly confirms Aljaz Skorjanec will return to the series, replacing Giovanni, after initially quitting the show two years ago.
10th July: Amanda Abbington launches fresh legal proceedings to get the rehearsal footage from her time with Giovanni, after allegedly he refused to release the videos.
13th July: Graziano Di Prima is axed from Strictly for “gross misconduct” after footage of his treatment of Zara McDermott is brought to the attention of the BBC.
Graziano quickly broke his silence, apologising for his behaviour in a statement and saying he “deeply regrets it”, adding his “intense passion and determination to win might have affected his training regime.”
15th July: Strictly bosses implement new duty of care protocols, including having a chaperone present throughout all rehearsals.
16th July: Zara McDermott speaks out publicly for first time. She states while the production team were “amazing to work with”, she found the rehearsal room “completely different”, confirming there’s footage of “certain situations”.
19th July: Anton Du Beke is put under the spotlight for his “1970s attitude” and treatment of female celeb stars, particularly after allegedly referring to 2009 partner Laila Rouass as a “p***” after getting a spray tan.
21st July: Paralympian Will Bayley, who has limb condition arthrogryposis, revealed he was encouraged to leap from a table during a dance routine, despite fears. The stunt caused an injury that forced him to withdraw from the show.
22nd July: MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace admits he broke down in tears and got a nasty stress rash on his face during his time on Strictly in 2014.
22nd July: Despite ongoing issues, the Strictly professional cast begin rehearsals for this year’s series.
23rd July: Celebrity agent Melanie Blake claims she was sexually assaulted by an unnamed pro dancer while backstage on the show, and claims she witnessed ageism, rudeness and a rough treatment to the point of injury.
23rd July: Strictly is forced to beef up security after ‘an intruder scales the wall of the rehearsal studio’.
23rd July: BBC boss Tim Davie breaks his silence on the ongoing allegations against Strictly, saying he is ‘deeply sorry’, adding: “Hundreds of people, be they pros, contestants or crew have been part of it and had a brilliant experience.
“At the same time if someone thinks there was something wrong or they want to talk about their experience then of course we want them to raise that with us. Be in no doubt we will take it seriously, listen and deal with it as appropriate.”
24th July: Strictly 2023 star Krishnan Guru-Murthy holds a bombshell interview with Amanda Abbington on Channel 4 news, where she claims she was bullied, with some of the ‘humilation being of a sexual nature’.
27th July: Laura Whitmore releases a statement regarding her Strictly experience, saying “I thought my experience was specific to me but I’ve since learned I was wrong”.
She adds she is not part of the official complaint, but has come forward to support Amanda with the BBC, alongside others.
28th July: Laila Rouass speaks out against the accusations regarding Anton Du Beke, saying she “never felt pressured” by him and “personally insisted on six to seven hours training a day”.
10th August: Graziano breaks his silence on his Strictly axe, saying “these vile, false allegations have ruined my life.”
He also told of the “shocking” end to his friendship with Zara McDermott.
We also revealed that Amanda Abbington was also quizzed for a second time as Strictly execs recruited 15 new staff to monitor rehearsals.
11th August: Just as the investigation was expected to conclude, Amanda made a dramatic intervention. Giovanni was on the brink of being cleared until Amanda handed in more text messages.
24th August: Graziano Di Prima called in top lawyers to sue the BBC and to try to clear his name. He recruited big hitters Whitestone Chambers to fight his corner.
A source said: “They’ve also looked at his BBC contract and believe there are grounds to sue.”
Meanwhile, the BBC also delayed releasing the findings of the probe into Giovanni Pernice. The Sun revealed that the results of the three-month investigation were unlikely to be announced in August.
13th September: Strictly wins best talent show at the National Television Awards
14th September: Strictly Come Dancing returned to TV – without Giovanni AND without the findings of the investigation revealed.
30th September: The BBC apologises to Amanda over the Strictly bullying scandal – but Giovanni is cleared of almost all abuse allegations.
Amanda released a statement saying she’s not happy with the outcome, while Gio shared his delight.
22nd October: Giovanni returns to TV in the UK for an interview on Lorraine and speaks about clearing his name.
Craig, a judge for 20 years, once revelled in his role as the BBC show’s pantomime villain — and would regularly receive death threats.
Among his past catty comments, he told broadcaster Jeremy Vine that he danced “like a stork that had been struck by lightning.”
He gleefully informed former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith that she “limped about like you were lost at a party somewhere, drunk”.
Craig even went for pal and then-dancer Anton for “awful fake teeth he was wearing” — before realising they were Anton’s own.
In 2018, Craig also gave Anton and fashion writer Susannah Constantine the lowest possible “1” score for a routine.
He has used the “1” paddle more than any other judge, and said he would have scored some contestants “0” had the paddle been available.