Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden shared her thoughts on the judging panel, revealing what Craig Revel Horwood is really like away from the cameras on the BBC show
Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood is renowned for his ruthlessly candid feedback and trademark stony-faced expressions, but his conduct behind the scenes paints a completely different picture, according to one of the BBC programme’s professional dancers.
Amy Dowden has opened up about the judging panel, disclosing what Craig is genuinely like when he’s not positioned behind the desk passing judgement on the celebrity hopefuls.
Chatting to Lewis Nicholls on The Lewis Nicholls Show, the Welsh dancer discussed her relationship with the judges and shed light on why Craig’s television demeanour doesn’t necessarily match his true character beyond the ballroom floor.
When quizzed about the panel, Amy was quick to stand up for the infamously harsh judge, who has become a mainstay on the BBC competition.
“He’s honest though, I love it. He’s, and off stage, he is the loveliest, nicest person. He puts that professional hat on when he’s in that chair,” she said, reports the Express.
Amy, 36, went on to suggest there was a method behind Craig’s unflinching approach, pointing out that contestants always have room for improvement.
“And I think, yeah, you can always find something that someone needs to work on,” she explained.
Throughout their discussion, Lewis also remarked on Craig’s signature reactions when awarding a perfect score, observing how his expression hardly shifts despite the enthusiasm rippling through the audience. Amy went on to share her views on her fellow judges, including Anton Du Beke, who made his name as a professional dancer before stepping up to his current role on the panel.
“Yeah, absolutely. And he was part of the pro lineup when I obviously joined for a few years before he took that step up as a judge. And I’ve known Shirley for years,” she said.
She also heaped praise on head judge Shirley Ballas and fellow panellist Motsi Mabuse, highlighting the unique qualities each brings to the beloved programme.
“She’s amazing, and she’s like, she is the queen of Latin. And Motsi, her abundance of energy and charisma, it’s just brilliant,” Amy added.
Her remarks come as Amy continues her comeback to the BBC favourite after battling serious health issues in recent years.
The 36-year-old received a breast cancer diagnosis in 2023 but has since received the welcome news that there is no evidence of disease. She returned to Strictly, partnering celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton.
Amy does, however, continue to live with Crohn’s disease, a long-term inflammatory bowel condition she was first diagnosed with at the age of 19, following years of debilitating pain, vomiting, exhaustion and numerous hospital stays.
During the podcast, she also reflected on her distressing struggle to receive a diagnosis, recalling how one doctor suspected she had an eating disorder and told her to “go and eat a Mars bar”. Amy’s loved ones were left heartbroken by the lack of adequate support, with her father eventually threatening to take legal action after she spent six weeks in hospital without receiving a diagnosis.
She was subsequently transferred to University College London, where a consultant suspected Crohn’s disease after carefully listening to her symptoms.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Amy revealed that enduring years of medical examinations and hospital treatment had also equipped her to face the challenges that came with her cancer diagnosis.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: mirror.co.uk
