Craig Revel Horwood has responded after Strictly Come Dancing fans spotted his 'body language' in reaction to the latest exit from the competition. He said he was "fuming" that he did not have the casting vote after Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu were eliminated.
Bethany and Nancy became the sixth couple to leave the BBC One dance contest after being defeated in the dance-off during the results show on Sunday night (November 8). It was their third time in the dance-off, where they faced Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby to try to stay in the 2026 series.
Dance-off Decision
Both couples performed their routines again before the judging panel. Bethany and Nancy reprised their Foxtrot to Leona Lewis' Bleeding Love, while Cach and Maddie danced their Waltz to That Ain't You by Mulaa Joans.
Judge Anton Du Beke voted to save Cach and Maddie, while Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood voted to save Bethany and Nancy. Head judge Shirley Ballas had the deciding vote and saved Cach and Maddie, sending them through to week eight and Bethany and Nancy home.
Fans React to Judges' Body Language
Strictly fans were quick to comment on Craig's response to Bethany's departure. @ceceswifts said: "Motsi and Craig's faces and body language at the end there tells you everything you need to know #strictly."
@wizardofozxx replied: "I didn't want to watch the actual results as I knew I couldn't sit through Bethany and Nancy being sent home, but I've just seen this tweet, and I had to see this specific moment for myself and wow. yup. they know what's up." @jfield03 added: "Should just let Craig pick who gets booted off, he's the only one who keeps it real. #strictly."
Craig's Response on Spin-Off Show
On Strictly's spin-off show Light's Up, which airs after Sunday's results show on iPlayer with hosts Abi Clarke and Tyler West, Craig addressed the decision. "Bethany will be fuming I didn't have the casting vote, darling, this week in particular!" he said. "It is them [Shirley and Anton] against us [him and Motsi], isn't it. But someone's got the casting vote, and it's a personal preference."
He added: "They might like a shift across the floor, and I might like a bit more artistry. But that's my background, that's Shirley's background, and that's why it's completely different. I'm fuming, darling. My jaw was dropping to the floor when Shirley announced..." before Shirley interjected: "You get over it, Craig!"
Shirley was also asked by Tyler if she was "celebrating" having had the casting vote, to which she said: "I feel very comfortable with the decision that I made because when I do something like this, I have a list and I go from the footwork all the way up... I felt Cach had more swing and sway in there, he did correct some of the footwork, it was musical, it was together... Bethany is a beautiful dancer who offered terrific footwork, but I'm with Anton when it comes to shift in ballroom."
