Tess Daily hit back at Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood on Saturday night, jumping to one star’s defence.

Craig had told hopefuls Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec that there was “something missing” in their latest performance, the Quickstep, as he critiqued their routine. The pair were visibly shocked by the negative feedback, thrilled with how it went.

As Craig went against his fellow judges and told them it wasn’t his cup of tea, Tess ended up interjecting with her hand in there, before turning away from Craig. The show presenter pulled a face as she hit back at his comments, telling Tasha and Aljaž to basically ignore what he was saying.

As Craig made his comments, with his co-judges not in agreement, there were boos from the crowd. Tess then put her hand in the air and hit back at what he had to say, telling the pair: “I’m not sure that everyone agrees with him in here…” pulling a face as she said it.

Aljaž then took the blame for what Craig said, declaring: “That’s my fault, that is my fault.” Viewers were in agreement with Tess, with many calling out Craig’s view on the performance.

One fan posted on X: “Aljaz looks so upset at Craig’s remarks. We’re all hugging you,” as another said: “Ooo SHUSH CRAIG.” A third added: “CRAIG MAKING EXCUSES NOT TO GIVE HER A TEN,” as a fourth wrote: “Oh give over Craig.”

Strictly Come Dancing 2024 host Tess Daly was quick to silence judge Craig Revel Horwood’s claims about Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec
It comes as pro dancer Johannes Radebe was forced to address speculation that he’s preparing to quit the show at the end of the latest series. Johannes, 37, has become a fan favourite on the BBC show since joining the line-up of dancers in 2018.

He’s partnered with Gladiators star Montell Douglas, 38, this year and they’re among the remaining pairs in the competition. Earlier this week, there were reports that Johannes is planning to leave Strictly next year to pursue other opportunities.

Johannes has now addressed the speculation in a post on Instagram, with him dismissing the suggestion that he’s set to leave the BBC show. Alongside a screenshot of an article referencing the speculation, he wrote to his followers: “I’m not going nowhere! The story isnt true – I love @bbcstrictly and I want to do this beautiful show for as long as they want me – and the body will allow. I have Kinky Boots and other work in the pipeline yes but nothing will take me away. Love you all Jojo Xx.”

It comes after a source told the Sun: “Johannes is hugely loved on the show and there isn’t an atom of bad feeling about him leaving. Both he and the show’s bosses realise he is overwhelmed with work as a result of his soaring popularity and wish him all the best. But nobody can ever get so big that they continually take up too much limelight – the star of the show must always be the show itself.”

The source went on to explain that the door is expected to be left open for Johannes to return in the future and claimed that he has “too much to juggle” alongside Strictly. They said that it isn’t just the announced projects he’s working on as there are “other opportunities in the pipeline too”.