Craig Revel-Horwood has been branded ‘sexist’ by the BBC One show’s viewers after making an ‘awful and unnecessary’ swipe at Alex Kingston.
Fans felt that the judge, who is well-known for his sharp tongued critiques of the celebrity stars, went too far when dishing out his opinions to Alex, 62, and her professional dance partner Johannes Radebe.
Craig, 60, was left unimpressed with former ER actress Alex’s Halloween Week dance, which saw her perform a Salsa to Horny by Hot ‘N’ Juicy and Mousse T.
Despite receiving high praise from head judge Shirley Ballas, and fellow judges Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse, the same couldn’t be said for Craig.
He told Alex: ‘It was like watching a woman go through a midlife crisis.’
The actress appeared to try to laugh off the critique, before pulling a face towards the judge – but viewers at home weren’t prepared to let it go.
Craig Revel-Horwood has been branded ‘sexist’ by the BBC One show’s viewers after making an ‘awful and unnecessary’ swipe at Alex Kingston
Fans felt that the judge went too far when dishing out his opinions to Alex, 62, and her professional dance partner Johannes Radebe
Taking to social media, one penned: ‘I don’t want to sound like a friend that’s too woke but Craig’s “midlife crisis” comment about Alex felt kinda misogynistic.’
‘It was misogynistic ageism,’ a second chimed in, as a third fumed of the comment: ‘It was awful and really unnecessary.’
Fans were also left furious at head judge Shirley, 65, after appearing to spot ‘feuds’ with one of the show’s professional dancers, along with a celebrity star.
Viewers became convinced that the head judge had ‘beef’ with the pair after the latest two instalments of the show as they picked apart her scoring.
During Icons week, Shirley was called ‘nasty’ by the BBC One show’s fans over her critiques of Karen Hauer during her routine.
Karen, 43, took to the floor alongside her celebrity partner, Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey to perform an Argentine Tango to Usher’s Caught Up.
Despite receiving huge cheers from the crowd, and votes from the public that kept Harry, 27, safe from being voted off the show, Shirley wasn’t as impressed.
She hit out the routine was ‘a little bit of bump and grind, and a little bit of Argentine Tango’, with the live crowd quick to ‘boo’ her over the comments.
As well as raging at Craig, fans were also left furious at head judge Shirley, 65, after appearing to spot ‘feuds’ with two of the show’s stars
During Icons week, Shirley was called ‘nasty’ by the BBC One show’s fans over her critiques of Karen Hauer and Gladiators star Harry during their routine
And taking to social media, fans complained that Shirley had ‘favourites’, hitting out that they had noticed Shirley ‘beefing with Karen every year’.
One penned on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Whatever Shirley’s beef is with Karen Hauer? I wish she’d just pull her to one side in the corridor and get it out of her system because it affects Karen’s celeb partner’s marks.’
‘Ah, we’ve reached the annual ‘Shirley beefing with Karen’ part of the series,’ a second said, while a third added: ‘Shirl has her favourites EVERY SERIES.’
‘Scrap behind the bins – I know who my money would be on!’ a fourth joked.
As a fifth simply hit out against the judge: ‘I need Shirley gone at this point. She’s nasty for no reason and ruining every week for me.’
Viewers also felt that Shirley had taken issue with West End star and former Love Island contestant Amber Davies after her performance in Halloween Week.
The reality star, 29, and her professional partner Nikita Kuzmin received harsh criticism for their Viennese Waltz to I See Red by Everybody Loves An Outlaw.
Shirley told them: ‘On my book, it says Viennese waltz. And this, for me, was an American-style Viennese waltz, and only because I teach it.
While the remaining judges, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse all awarded Amber and Nikita 9s, Shirley instead gave Amber an 8 for the dance
Viewers also felt that Shirley had taken issue with West End star and former Love Island contestant Amber Davies after her performance in Halloween Week
‘Anton and I counted the bars. You had about 18 bars, so the real Viennese Waltz, which is what it was, didn’t actually come to fruition.
‘I cannot complain of what you do. It’s just not the same title I have in my book.’
While the remaining judges, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse all awarded Amber and Nikita 9s, Shirley instead gave them an 8.
It placed Amber at fifth in the official leaderboard, instead of third.
Fans once again hit out: ‘Shirley is very unprofessional in the way she talks to Amber. Doesn’t even try to hide that she can’t stand her…’
Another added: ‘Why was Shirley criticising Amber for performing choreography she was given? She danced beautifully, and Shirley’s comments made no sense.’
A third suggested: ‘It’s clear Shirley just doesn’t like Amber,’ as a fourth penned: ‘Amber is amazing, and Shirley’s comments were completely unnecessary.’
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday at 6:25pm on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.