Strictly Come Dancing's notoriously hard-to-please judge, Craig Revel Horwood, has left viewers stunned by delivering a shower of praise instead of his customary scathing critique. The object of his admiration? The electrifying partnership of Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin.
Following their performance to Peggy Gou's '(It Goes Like) Nanana' during the show's first live episode, Revel Horwood was visibly impressed. He declared their Cha Cha Cha possessed a rare "fire and fury" that set it apart from anything he had witnessed in his long tenure on the BBC flagship show.
"That was the best Cha Cha I have ever seen on Strictly Come Dancing, ever," he announced to a surprised studio audience. The judge, known for his brutally honest 'Revel-ations', elaborated on his unexpected verdict, highlighting the technical brilliance and raw energy of the performance.
He specifically commended the duo's "amazing straight leg action" and the powerful, staccato movements that gave the routine its unique punch and character. This level of detail-focused praise from Revel Horwood is a significant marker of a truly exceptional performance.
Fellow judges Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas echoed the sentiment, showering the pair with a standing ovation and a cascade of top scores. The performance secured Williams and Kuzmin a near-perfect 32 out of a possible 40 points, instantly establishing them as the couple to beat this season.
The public's reaction was equally fervent, with fans flooding social media to agree with Revel Horwood's assessment. Many commented that the routine was more worthy of a final than a week-one performance, setting a incredibly high bar for the competition ahead.
