Let’s face it, Craig Revel Horwood is no stranger to a bit of acid-tongued critique himself on Strictly Come Dancing.
But he reckons new head judge Shirley Ballas has now scooped the crown for Strictly’s chief “villain” after her criticisms during the current series.
Claws at the ready…
Read more: Dancing On Ice contestant fears he’ll be show’s worst-ever skater
Speaking to The Sun, Craig said: “Shirley is this year’s villain. She’s frighteningly technical with her criticism, and I know the audience might struggle with that.”
Some fans have taken to social media during the series to address Shirley’s wealth of knowledge when it comes to dance.
One accused Shirley of “over the top technical jargon”, while another said: “Does Shirley know this is an entertainment programme, not a technical coaching session?”
A third fan echoed that by tweeting: “We don’t need a technical dance lesson every week hun, it’s a bit of fun.”
And a fourth said: “Does judge Shirley really have to rattle off all those technical dance terms that only professionals know? This is TV for masses.”
Other fans, however, have praised Shirley’s technical critique and said it’s a brilliant addition to the show – even if not everyone really understands it!
One tweeted: “What I love is that Shirley has brought back talking about actual technical dance moves.”
A second agreed: “I like Shirley’s highly technical remarks – even if I don’t understand half of the terms!”
And a third said: “I just love listening to Shirley talk about dance, it’s the technical criticism Strictly has been missing for years.”
Meanwhile, a show insider told The Sun that BBC bosses are thrilled with Shirley’s feedback to the celebrities.
A source said: “Bosses are delighted with how she’s getting on and like her detailed critique.
“She’s been told to carry on and ignore the trolls.”
Shirley’s had a difficult week after her deciding vote on Sunday night sent bookies’ favourite Aston Merrygold home.
In the biggest shock of the series so far, the former JLS singer was given his marching orders after falling into the dance-off against Saturdays star Mollie King.
Also helping their premature departure was Craig, who had given Aston and partner Janette Manrara just four points on Saturday night.
While Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussell chose to save Aston, Craig voted to send him home and then head judge Shirley used her deciding vote to seal his fate.
Read more: Piers Morgan celebrates new Twitter rule by embarrassing son
It led to inevitable accusations of Shirley and Craig displaying favouritism in their votes or the show being ‘fixed’. As usual.
Shirley has yet to address the criticism but Craig brushed off the idea the judges were responsible for Aston leaving early.
He told The Sun: “We didn’t put him in the bottom two, the audience did… And Mollie did a better dance in the dance-off.”