Strictly Come Dancing viewers took to social media during week seven of the 2026 series to ask what was wrong with judge Craig Revel Horwood, after his scoring appeared to change from his usual 'Mr Nasty' persona in earlier episodes.
The BBC One dance contest aired its seventh live show on Saturday, November 7, with nine couples competing after it was announced that Jaime Winstone and her professional partner Carlos Gu would receive a bye to next week's show. Winstone suffered a torn abdominal muscle and is hoped to return to the programme next week.
Dani Dyer tops the leaderboard
Dani Dyer and her professional partner Nikita Kuzmin closed the episode with an American smooth to It Had to Be You by Harry Connick Jr, scoring 36 and topping the leaderboard. It marked Dyer's first 10 of the series, with head judge Shirley Ballas saying they did "exceptionally well" and standing to applaud them at the conclusion.
Judge Motsi Mabuse, who awarded the couple their first 10, said: "It was amazing. When I come to the show, I say: 'Who's going to light my heart? Who's going to switch on that light? Who's going to serve? Who's going to make me happy?' And you did that."
Bottom of the table and Craig's harsh scoring
At the foot of the table were social media personality John Nellis with Katya Jones, and former Love Island contestant Cach Mercer with Maddie Ingoldsby, tied on scores of 26 out of a possible 40. Nellis and Jones performed the salsa to Get Lucky by Daft Punk featuring Pharrell and Nile Rodgers, with Motsi saying she "loved the choreography", while Craig Revel Horwood said it was "like a three-year-old having a tantrum". Mercer and Ingoldsby performed the waltz to That Ain't You by Mulaa Joans, which Shirley said featured "way too many foot errors", adding: "Some parts are getting better, some need a bit more work."
Viewers were distracted by Craig's change in scoring, with several taking to social media to question it. @francescajayne_ said: "What is wrong with Craig tonight?!!! He's not being constructive at all... #Strictly #Strictly2026 #StrictlyComeDancing." @PhillipaAshley asked: "What was wrong with Craig tonight? #strictly." @kay_emery656 echoed: "Seriously though, what the hell is wrong with Craig tonight?? #Strictly."
@ls1882 posted: "Wtf is wrong with Craig tonight? Someone take that 6 paddle off him #Strictly." @BigTom0491 wrote: "Who p***ed Craig off tonight? His scoring tonight was very harsh #Strictly." @rhi_892 joked: "Craig has really got his grumpy pants on today hasn't he #strictly." @svlmonskinrolls added: "Craig is insane tonight omg is he ok #strictly."
