Craig Revel Horwood: 'The contestants are more serious now'
He’s part of the Strictly furniture, having judged on the show every series since it launched in 2004. So if anyone can shed light on how the nation’s favourite dancing contest has changed over the years, it’s Craig Revel Horwood. The veteran judge has watched 19 celebrities raise the glitterball, from the show’s first winner, BBC newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky, to the most recent champion, actress Rose Ayling-Ellis. And he admitted that there’s been an increased rivalry between the excited competitors.
“The contestants themselves treat it really seriously now, rather than being a little bit jokey in the very first series,” Craig recalled.
“[The show’s] got more spectacular, the sets have become extraordinary and the quality of dancing has gone up.”
Craig, 57, has always been regarded as the tougher judge to crack, renowned for being the pickiest when it comes to awarding a perfect 10 points. But there is one celebrity in Craig’s mind that set the bar for “amazing dancing” back in 2005 – EastEnders actress Jill Halfpenny, whose jive with Darren Bennett earned the first-ever top score of 40. Craig says, “She stood out because she was incredible, it was the first 10 that I ever gave.”
Back in the noughties, Craig had no expectations for the show, confessing he thought it would last three weeks. “I was totally wrong about that!” he jokes. And while stepping into the professionals’ dancing shoes has never appealed to the choreographer due to the gruelling training schedules, he is in awe of their knowledge, energy and excitement, and has branded the new dancers – Vito Coppola, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Michelle Tsiakkas – “exceptional”. “They will bring things that we’ve never seen before, something new,” he adds.
Motsi Mabuse: 'I would have danced with Nelson Mandela'
She was proficient in judging dance long before she replaced Darcey Bussell in 2019, thanks to years of offering expertise on Let’s Dance_,_ the German version of Strictly. And while Motsi Mabuse, 41, has been twirled by a whole host of men over the course of her career, there’s one celebrity she dreamed of sharing the ballroom with. “I would have danced with Nelson Mandela if I’d had the chance, and I would have asked him so many questions. I think because of him, we are able to realise our dreams today,” she says.
The South African-German dancer is the sister of Oti - who was a professional on Strictly for six years before announcing her departure in February this year. And Motsi says she’s long been a fan of the show, and especially loves Halloween week. She adds, “I love Halloween because of all the costumes and the fun things that we get to do! But also Movie Week is one of my favourites. I can’t wait!”
Shirley Ballas: 'Motsi would win a judges’ dance - off!'
She is dubbed The Queen of Latin owing to her impressive championship world title wins. But head judge Shirley Ballas – who was appointed following the departure of Len Goodman in 2017 – doesn’t back herself in a hypothetical judges’ dance-off. “Motsi [would win], without a doubt. She would shake it, bake it, deliver it and then some. Absolute spice of life that girl,” Shirley, 62, says of her fellow judge.
She continues, “I love having Anton Du Beke to my left, who this season I will be able to have a little waltz with. I have Motsi to my right who has more energy than the rest of us put together, and Craig on the end who I adore.” Strictly’s return to Blackpool after a two-year absence is particularly poignant for Merseyside-born Shirley, who considers it home. “It’s where my first ever event was when I was seven years old,” she recalls. “The only year I’ve ever missed is when I gave birth to my son!”
Anton Du Beke: 'Rose & Giovanni are still my standout moment’
He might be the newest member of the judging foursome after replacing long-timer Bruno Tonioli last year, but Anton Du Beke’s history with Strictly stretches over 18 years, as he starred on the show as a professional dancer before hanging up his dancing shoes for the panel. “It’s easier on the knees!” he quips.
Unsurprisingly, the ballroom and Latin maestro knows the ingredients that make for a mesmerising moment, and his standout performance from last year’s series goes to Rose Ayling-Ellis – Strictly’s first deaf contestant – and Giovanni Pernice’s silent routine.
“It’s difficult to think about last year’s series without thinking about Rose and her incredible journey,” Anton, 56, says. “I think the dance she and Giovanni won the BAFTA for was extraordinary, and there were other extraordinary moments through her Strictly journey.”
The winners have sparked an avalanche of romance rumours of late following her split from long-term boyfriend Sam Arnold. But it wasn’t just Rose and Giovanni who made history on the show last year, as John Whaite and Johannes Radebe formed the first all-male pair. “Watching them dance together was an incredible thing,” Anton reflects.