Craig Revel Horwood has taken a swipe as former Strictly Come Daning professional Ola Jordan after calling out comments she made about him being ‘too nicely nicey’.
The judge, 60, is one of the key fixtures of the BBC dancing competition who has judged on the show since its inception in 2004.
More than 20 years on he still sits on the panel with fellow judges Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and head judge Shirley Ballas.
Craig has now taken a swipe at Ola, 42, after she suggested there should be a panel shake-up and that Craig had lost his ‘sparkle’.
Taking to social media, Craig said: ‘”Former Strictly pro Ola Jordan says “nicey nicey” Craig Revel Horwood replaced with “spicier” judge.” Maybe you’d like to suggest your wonderful husband Ola? @The_OlaJordan.’
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Craig’s comment was pointing to Ola’s husband James Jordan, another former Strictly professional who danced on the show for eight series and stepped away in 2012.
Ola starred in the BBC series from 2006 to 2015 and was the champion in 2009 with Chris Hollins.
Ola made the comments about Craig in December 2024. Speaking in an interview with Mecca Bingo last year she said: ‘I feel like Craig’s lost his sparkle. People loved Craig for what he was before.
‘He would say it as it is, saying he wasn’t good, that was rubbish, but it’s almost like he’s got to say a positive now.
‘He’s obviously been told they’ve got to be positive and that they don’t want any negativity in the show and that comes from producers, but they need to look at what the public wants really. It’s too nicey nicey.’
She then suggested that perhaps there should be a shake-up on the panel: ‘They’re all the same every year, so maybe they need a new judge – someone with a bit more spice on the panel.
‘You could even have a different guest judge every week.’
Craig was once known for being brutal with the contestants and has spoken about being kinder in recent series – but retaining honesty.
‘I have changed my style of judging,’ he told the Radio Times magazine in 2024. ‘I was really harsh 20 years ago. When I look back, I think, “Ooh, that’s cutting.” It would now be classed as bullying, and then I’d be cancelled.’
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He added: ‘It’s not fear of being cancelled. It’s just, how can I reach out to them and help them to improve, rather than just saying, “This is wrong, that’s wrong.” I’m thinking more like a teacher than a judge.
Craig also explained that he thinks the standard has improved vastly over the years.
‘They’re much more talented now than they used to be. Back then, we had snooker players and politicians, and it was pretty tough on people who couldn’t dance. I was very direct. I do still say what’s wrong, but you can wrap the truth in a nice way.’
Metro has reached out to Ola Jordan’s representatives for comment.
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