Putting on the glitz!

As a long-time fan of Strictly Come Dancing, I must admit that watching Craig Revel Horwood evolve over the years has been quite a spectacle. From his initial “Dull, dull, dull!” criticisms to his more recent “Fab-u-lous, darling” compliments, it’s clear that he’s softened up a bit – though thankfully not too much!

Add Strictly Come Dancing to your watchlist

On the stage of “Strictly Come Dancing,” Craig Revel Horwood, often portrayed as the villain, is no stranger to jeers and catcalls from the audience. However, some viewers might have noticed a change in his demeanor lately, with his popular phrase, “Fab-u-lous, darling” being used more frequently than his critical “Dull, dull, dull!

After two decades as a judge, the 59-year-old acknowledges he’s become more lenient in his approach. He used to be quite stern, he says, but reflecting on his past judgments, he now realizes they were harsh, even bordering on bullying. If he made those comments today, he might face criticism and possibly be removed from the position.

Putting on the glitz!

To clarify, it’s not that I’ve changed my ways due to the fear of public backlash or being shunned. Instead, I’m finding myself more drawn towards understanding and assisting others in their growth. Rather than merely pointing out what they’re doing wrong, I’m trying to adopt a teaching approach, aiming to guide and inspire positive change.

When the standard is high, there’s usually plenty to praise. But with this series, it seems like everything is going incredibly well. They’ve definitely improved since before, both in terms of snooker players and politicians. Back then, it was quite challenging for those who couldn’t dance, and I was blunt about it. While I still point out flaws, I try to soften the truth by presenting it in a more polite manner now.

If you’re worried that he might be overly considerate, Revel Horwood emphasizes that he remains indifferent about dancers being upset by his opinions. “I’m not there to cater to their feelings. I don’t care about how it influences them emotionally, because they must learn and appreciate my perspective.

He doesn’t worry about any negative reactions from fans. In truth, he intends to pen a book chronicling the social media harassment he has endured. “It will be quite amusing,” he says, “Over time, I’ve saved all these comments and supposed threats from individuals who have barely any followers and lack dance skills. I plan on exposing them.

After reading these comments, I find myself thinking, ‘What a fantastic idea! This could really enhance my book.’ I view them as a form of comic strip. It seems they struggle with grammar and spelling. Often, I respond by saying something like, ‘I appreciate your perspective, but maybe you should focus on improving your spelling skills before sharing your thoughts, dear.’

It was previously noted that not everyone possesses the same level of resilience as Revel Horwood. This year, concerns regarding duty of care towards participants surfaced, prompting a change in policy requiring a chaperone to be present during all rehearsals. The show’s teaching standards have also been under discussion.

The toughest judge from “Strictly” shares their thoughts on the recent uproar: “It’s time for a shift. These dancers are top-tier champions, trained to excel, and the key to their success is being pushed to the limit. That competitive spirit is deeply ingrained in them. You can’t expect such a deep-seated trait to change quickly. Instead, let’s work with what we have and help guide them towards even greater achievements.

A novice celebrity has a unique situation compared to an ordinary person. Celebrities are more cautious because they’re in the spotlight. They need to safeguard their reputation and avoid appearing foolish. Therefore, it’s crucial to have someone present who can manage both the celebrity and the professional, while also maintaining a fun environment. However, they still require some challenge, as dancing isn’t easy, but remember, this is a light-hearted entertainment show.

Indeed, Revel Horwood has an intimate understanding of Strictly Come Dancing that surpasses many others due to his continued presence from the initial panel which included Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, and Arlene Phillips. Interestingly, while both Tonioli and Phillips still follow Strictly Come Dancing, Horwood seldom discusses it with them because they’re usually preoccupied chatting about other matters.

I encounter them frequently, and they both seem to be avid viewers. I often spot Bruno at his home – he’s quite skilled in cooking chicken. It’s clear that he’s deeply engrossed in Britain’s Got Talent these days, and his role involves pressing the golden buzzers or something similar, and he also participates in an American dancing competition.

He notes that Goodman, who passed away in April 2023, would have found Paul Merson, Chris McCausland, and Wynne Evans particularly appealing this year. “He would have enjoyed their camaraderie, as it reminds him of the old days when celebrities used to share a good laugh.

Which performer has Revel Horwood found most entertaining over the past two decades? Reflecting on his experiences, he recalls that Mark Ramprakash, who won series four, was not impressive during rehearsals. Karen Hardy, his partner, would often express her concerns, saying, “I’m not sure how we’re going to make it through this.” However, when they went live, Ramprakash would surprise everyone with an energetic performance that captivated the audience, as he danced effortlessly across the floor. We were always left wondering where his incredible performances came from. Perhaps the pressure of a live audience was what drove him, given his background as a top-level cricketer.

This Christmas, the show is set to return with its annual year-end special and a 20th-anniversary documentary. As tradition dictates, Revel Horwood plans to spend his holiday season watching these productions amidst his traditional Christmas celebrations, which include tuning into the King’s speech and enjoying a classic roast turkey dinner. His heartfelt wish for the future? To one day have the power to decide who appears on the special Christmas episode. “If I could dream,” he muses, “Simon Cowell would be my top pick. But if given the chance, I’d love nothing more than to dance with Queen Camilla personally.

2024-11-26 17:34

Read More