Former Strictly professional Ola Jordan has said Craig Revel Horwood should be axed and replaced by a new judge with ‘more spice.’
The dancer, 42, who starred on the BBC series from 2006 to 2015, admitted that the show is becoming ‘too nicey nicey.’
She explained how Strictly ‘needs a refresh to keep it appealing to audiences’ even if that means replacing the panel.
Speaking in an interview with Mecca Bingo, Ola said: ‘I feel like Craig’s lost his sparkle. People loved Craig for what he was before.
‘He would say it as it is, saying he wasn’t good, that was rubbish, but it’s almost like he’s got to say a positive now.
‘He’s obviously been told they’ve got to be positive and that they don’t want any negativity in the show and that comes from producers, but they need to look at what the public wants really. It’s too nicey nicey.’
Former Strictly professional Ola Jordan has said Craig Revel Horwood should be axed and replaced by a new judge with ‘more spice’
The dancer, 42, who starred on the BBC series from 2006 to 2015, admitted that the show is becoming ‘too nicey nicey’ (Craig pictured)
She added: ‘They’re all the same every year, so maybe they need a new judge – someone with a bit more spice on the panel. You could even have a different guest judge every week.’
Craig recently admitted his ‘cutting remarks’ from 20 years ago would be deemed ‘bullying’ now and he’d be cancelled for saying them today.
Known for his no-nonsense critiques and sharp tongue, the long-standing Strictly star shared that he has softened his judging approach on the entertainment show.
He told Radio Times: ‘I have changed my style of judging. I was really harsh 20 years ago. When I look back, I think, “Ooh, that’s cutting.” It would now be classed as bullying, and then I’d be cancelled.’
Revel Horwood, 59, who has been on Strictly since its inception in 2004, sits on the panel with Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and head judge Shirley Ballas.
He said his approach has shifted toward a more constructive style, where he thinks ‘more like a teacher than a judge.’
The choreographer, who is engaged to horticulturist Jonathan Myring, used to be ‘tough on people who couldn’t dance.’
‘I was very direct. I do still say what’s wrong, but you can wrap the truth in a nice way.’
She explained how Strictly ‘needs a refresh to keep it appealing to audiences’ even if that means replacing the panel (pictured in 2022)
Speaking in an interview with Mecca Bingo, Ola said: ‘I feel like Craig’s lost his sparkle. People loved Craig for what he was before’
He added: ‘I’m not there for their emotions. I don’t care how it affects them in that way, because they need to learn and respect my opinion.’
His acidic assessments on the dance show have led to online trolls sending the judge death threats and abuse.
It comes as The Mail On Sunday revealed that the BBC, in a drive to attract younger viewers, is scripting some of the judges’ comments for the first time.
The move has not gone down well with the judges, with sources saying they complain the scripted lines are ‘cringe,’ ‘overproduced’ and at times ‘woke’.
Viewers also noticed that Revel Horwood has been less abrasive this series.
One Strictly insider said: ‘The judges feel that the comments they are being told to make feel over-produced. It has been raised and is beginning to cause a problem.’