BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans ask 'why' as they share Craig Revel Horwood 'wish'

Strictly Come Dancing fans have been jumping to Craig Revel Horwood's defence as tension appeared to be brewing on the judging panel. The hit BBC One dance show returned on Saturday night (September 28) with the second week of the 2024 competition.

Last weekend, all 15 couples performed for the first time for the judges' comments and scores alone. However, this weekend marked the true start of the competition as the scores from last week were added to the new scores received after their second performances before the voting lines were opened for viewers to support their favourites ahead of the first exit of the year.

And it was former Love Island star Tasha Ghouri has topped the Strictly leaderboard after receiving the first scores of nine of the series. The reality star, who is the show’s second deaf contestant, dazzled the judges with her elegant Viennese waltz to Misty Blue by Dorothy Moore with her partner Aljaz Skorjanec.

READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Chris McCausland reveals 'refusal' over live performances

After landing the top score of 35, Strictly co-host host Claudia Winkleman revealed it was the highest score for the Viennese waltz in week two in the show’s history.

Miranda star Sarah Hadland and last year’s Strictly winner Vito Coppola also wowed the judges with their striking paso doble to Freed From Desire by Gala Rizzatto which secured her a score of 32, bringing her total to 62. Meanwhile, JLS star JB Gill and his professional partner Amy Dowden continued their successful run with their slick cha cha to Closer by Ne-Yo, which landed them a score of 27.

Singer Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones remain at the bottom of the leaderboard after their jive to Nutbush City Limits by Ike & Tina Turner picked up 18 points, bringing her total to 30 after they also placed at the bottom last week with a score of 12.

Meanwhile, former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson got the studio bouncing along with his joyful salsa to Fireball by Pitbull while wearing pink leopard trousers and a pink floral Hawaiian-style shirt. He picked up a score of 15, bringing his total to 32, for his performance which featured a dramatic lifts.

But it appears Strictly viewers were distracted by the judges throughout as during the show, Craig and head judge Shirley Ballas failed to see eye to eye as they critiqued each of the contestants on their dances.

Things felt particularly tense between the two judges when they discussed EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick and his dance partner Michelle Tsiakkas. Following their rumba, Craig said: "I felt it lacked connection. I felt it lacked an emotional connection between both of you! It felt like you were dancing by numbers."

He then added that he could sense that they were thinking about every dance move but it failed to "lift". Craig said "I felt like we lost the story. I felt like we lost everything that rumba is about. But Shirley bit back: "He's got to start somewhere, it's week two!" Slamming her hand on the table in front of her, she exclaimed: "He can have a bit more flow!"

As the pair became louder, fellow judge Moti Mabuse interrupted them and asked if she could give her comments, managing to diffuse the situation. But after witnessing the explosive exchange between the pair, fans headed over to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts.

@tinal_ball said: "Oh I wish Shirley would stop interrupting Craig EVERY time he speaks!!! It’s driving me mad… can we go back to each judge just having their say, then shutting up please. #Strictly." @mikeacthomas commented: "Wish Shirley would stop interrupting Craig all the time - he’s there to give his opinion whether she agrees or not! #Strictly."

@gembob86 asked: "#strictly why are the judges arguing so much this year? I wish they'd let Craig speak without all piling on him every time." @sophielansdall_ posted: "Waiting for the day a physical fight breaks out between craig shirley and motsi #Strictly." @cats_julianne16 added: "I’d like to know what’s gone on backstage between Craig and Shirley because they seem to be at each others throats tonight #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing."