Strictly’s Craig Revel Horwood takes swipe at ‘demanding celebs’ and insists pro dancers on show ‘need to be protected’

STRICTLY Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has the BBC show’s new safeguarding measures following the show’s abuse scandal.

Craig, 59, slammed “demanding” behaviour from celebrities behind-the-scenes while insisting that the show’s new chaperones must protect pro-dancers. 

Ahead of his return to Strictly, which begins on September 21, Craig has been busy directing and choreographing the theatre production of Now That’s What I Call a Musical. 

While speaking about the upcoming musical to The Stage, Craig weighed in on Strictly’s new safeguarding measures and how they will protect everyone on the show. 

He also suggested that celebrity stars can prove tricky in these kinds of environments, claiming he has seen instances of “demanding” behaviour.

“I’ve seen celebs grow demanding when they work in theatre,” he said. 

Craig added: “Certainly in the theatre, and that’s what I can talk about, the celebrities can get on their high horse and become demanding.”

He then went on to discuss allegations of poor behaviour on the dance competition show, stressing that he “totally and absolutely would not put up with any abuse in a rehearsal room.”

Craig then emphasised that “everyone must be protected – including people that are teaching,” especially behind closed doors. He added that while professional performers had to be subject to high standards, the use of chaperones could help prevent mistreatment on both sides. 

Using himself as an example, he explained: “When I’m teaching, for instance, with the cast of Now That’s What I Call a Musical, you have to be quite strict.”

Craig’s comments come amid Strictly’s ongoing abuse scandal when began when Amanda Abbington launched an official complaint with the BBC against her 2023 dance partner . 

The Sicilian dancer quit the series in May shortly before an official investigation was launched into his behaviour towards Amanda. 

The star claimed she was subjected to “disastrously unworkable” and “abusive” conditions.

Amanda is also said to have revealed a short video to bosses that he sent to her on WhatsApp, but sources say that whilst it is “sex-related”, it was “very much banter.”

Giovanni has strenuously denied the claims and has vowed to clear his name.

However, the Strictly probe into his conduct on the show is currently ongoing. The outcome of the investigation, which has been rumbling on for four months, has been delayed after new evidence came to light.

Meanwhile, other former contestants, such as Made in Chelsea star Zara McDermott, have also come forward with allegations of abuse against her pro dance partner, Graziano Di Prima.

Graziano was sacked after a video of him “hitting and kicking” Zara was shown to bosses.

The claims against Graziano are the biggest scandal to rock Strictly in its 20-year history.

However, Graziano has now called in top lawyers to sue the BBC in an effort to clear his name.

Investigations into allegations of rehearsal room bullying are ongoing. 

To prevent anything like this from happening in the 2024 competition, the BBC has hired chaperones who will attend all dance rehearsals to maintain everyone’s safety.