Tensions sparked on the Strictly Come Dancing set on Saturday night as judge Craig Revel Horwood made a cutting remark towards fellow judge Anton Du Beke.
After Shayne Ward and his dance partner Nancy Xu delivered their American Smooth to Sam Smith’s Get Here, judges were ready to share their critiques. Celebrating Shayne’s fourth decade, Anton Du Beke quipped, “Well it’s lovely to see another 40-year-old in the building! ” evoking laughter from the crowd.
Anton added amidst the audience’s chuckles, “Alright, it’s not that funny! Now I think that was lovely, that was a super dance, there was a lot about that”. He commended the pair, particularly noting the quality of their lifts.
He then offered Shayne a tip: “I want you to keep that focus of being together even when you’re not together as there’s a lot to like, keep going! ” This comment followed his observation that Shayne appeared somewhat “lost” when he moved to stage opposite Nancy, although Shayne clarified that it was intentional for the performance.
Craig, 59, expressed an opposing viewpoint, addressing Anton with a loaded comment: “I totally got the bust up and then the back together. I thought that was very clear, so Anton you need to maybe look at your own relationships and what you’ve been through potentially,” reports the Mirror.
Anton swiftly retorted, “I have to be honest with you, you’re much older than I am! I’m 40, I didn’t recognise it, maybe it’s an older man’s thing.”
The banter reflected the ongoing playful rivalry between the two dance experts. Craig didn’t hold back as he took a dig at Anton, retorting: “You should tell your surgeon darling. It’s not working out for you! ” which prompted a reaction from the audience.
In another moment of the show, Craig couldn’t resist another barb aimed at Anton, remarking: “Anton, darling, Anton, are you going to be standing up anymore? It’s getting really on my nerves! I’m just saying!”
The episode followed the departure of DIY SOS star Nick Knowles, who was the third celebrity to exit Strictly after a tense dance-off against ex-Coronation Street star Shayne Ward the previous weekend.
Nick, aged 62, along with his professional partner Luba Mushtuk, scored 21 points out of a possible 40 from the judges for their Charleston to ‘Rain On The Roof’ from ‘Paddington 2’, placing them second from last on the leaderboard.
When quizzed by presenter Tess Daly about his experience on the show, Nick revealed: “I’ve really, really been surprised by how much I’ve loved doing it and by two things that happen. “One is how much you care each week, and the other is how much you don’t want to let down your partner. The only reason I could do this is simply because of Luba’s changes, she’s been amazing.
There are some amazing dancers up there, and I will love watching the rest of the series. ” An emotional Luba chimed in: “I’ve never met someone as determined as you, and I remember you saying that if you do your best, you’ll be very happy. I think you did more than your best. Thank you.”
Strictly Come Dancing broadcasts Saturdays and Sundays on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.