Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood is known for his brutally candid feedback and trademark unimpressed expressions, but his behaviour off-camera is very different, according to one of the BBC programme's professional dancers.
Amy Dowden has shared her perspective on the judging panel, revealing what Craig is genuinely like when he is not seated behind the desk delivering his assessments of the celebrity contestants.
‘The loveliest, nicest person’
Speaking to Lewis Nicholls on his self-titled show, the Welsh dancer discussed her rapport with the judges. Asked about Craig, she said she loved his honesty and added: “Off stage, he is the loveliest, nicest person. He puts that professional hat on when he's in that chair.”
Amy went on to explain the reasoning behind Craig's uncompromising style, indicating there is invariably room for contestants to develop their skills.
“And I think, yeah, you can always find something that someone needs to work on,” she explained.
Praise for the judging panel
Throughout the discussion, Lewis also remarked on Craig's characteristic responses when awarding a flawless score, observing how his demeanour scarcely shifts despite the enthusiasm from the crowd.
Amy continued by sharing her views on the rest of the judging panel, including Anton Du Beke, who transitioned from professional dancer to his present position.
“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 [Ballas] for years,” she said.
She also heaped praise on head judge Shirley and fellow judge Motsi Mabuse, emphasising the unique strengths each one contributes to the 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.
Return after health struggles
Amy spoke out amid her return to the BBC competition following substantial health struggles in recent years.
The 36-year-old received a breast cancer diagnosis in 2023 and has subsequently been given the encouraging update that there is no evidence of disease. This year on the show, she was paired with celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, but they were unfortunately voted out of the competition last weekend.
Nevertheless, Amy continues to remain positive while also managing Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel condition she was diagnosed with at 19 after enduring years of acute pain, vomiting, fatigue and numerous hospital stays.
During the podcast, she also looked back on the harrowing struggle to obtain answers regarding her symptoms, remembering how one doctor suspected an eating disorder and instructed her to “go and eat a Mars bar”.
Amy's family were left utterly heartbroken by the absence of adequate support, with her father ultimately threatening to take legal action after she spent six weeks in hospital without receiving a diagnosis.
She was eventually transferred to University College London, where a consultant suspected Crohn's disease after hearing her symptoms.
Reflecting on her ordeal, Amy revealed that enduring years of medical examinations and hospital stays had also equipped her to face the challenges that came with her cancer diagnosis.
