Strictly fans make same demand after Craig Revel Horwood's deciding vote
Some want head judge Shirley Ballas to be shifted out of the Strictly Come Dancing hot seat - and feel it could be time for the crown to be passed the heir to the throne!
Plenty of Strictly Come Dancing fans want Craig Revel Horwood to be top dog on the judging panel after his big weekend move.
A twist in Sunday night's results show meant that Craig was the judge with the casting vote - a role of course usually taken by head judge Shirley Ballas. This year, bosses introduced the new rule where she no longer gets the deciding vote, with it rotating amongst the judges each week.
Craig used his power and chose to save Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon - meaning rugby legend Chris Robshaw was the third contestant to leave this year's series. Many at home clearly liked how decisive he was - and some hoped to see more of the same in the future.
If Shirley still had the deciding vote power, then the EastEnders star would have been the next contestant to be eliminated. That was enough for some viewers to call for a big shake-up and they want long-server Craig to shift Shirley out of the hot seat and take the crown himself.
After performing their routines once again in front of the judges, Motsi Mabuse opted to save Balvinder, while head judge Shirley Ballas and fellow judge Anton Du Beke both voted to save Chris. Speaking about the twist during the results show, Craig said: "I cannot wait to have the power, I have been waiting 20 years for this moment."
Viewers took to X to show the acid-tongued regular some support and one wrote: "I think we should petition to make Craig Revel Horwood head judge of #Strictly from 2026. Shirley outstayed her welcome a long time ago when she became biased & overly critical towards the contestants. Craig is frank, honest, and critical but fair without showing any bias."
Another put: "If there was EVER a night for Craig to get the head judge role. TONIGHT was it. We cannot put Balvinder in this position again #Strictly" while a third agreed and said he did the right thing, writing: "Craig kind of saved the show there… thank god he was head judge #strictly."
When asked by Tess about his time on the show, Chris said, "I’ve loved it. I’ve had an amazing partner. For me, coming onto this journey, I had no confidence. To be told I had world class qualities on the dancefloor today, even though we have to go home, that’s amazing to hear so thank you very much. It’s given me such confidence."
Chris then added, "To my partner Nadiya, I’m sorry. But it’s been an amazing journey, she’s been a brilliant teacher, I’ve developed so much, and it’s been a great ride - so thank you."
Meanwhile, Nadiya praised the star, admitting, "I saw all the qualities that made you the captain of your country. To watch you [go] from a non-dancer and non-performer [to then] blossom, improve and develop. Sometimes on this show you win by getting a glitterball, but I feel this year I won just getting you as my partner."
Former star Brendan Cole recently admitted that he disagrees with Craig's comment about this year's potential winner. Craig was quizzed on his favourites during the launch show and the straight-talking judge declared: "I can probably tell you who won't win darling, but I think the ladies are quite strong this competition - well they look like that so far."
But Brendan later remarked, in partnership with Sky Vegas: "I didn't quite know what Craig Revel-Horwood was talking about there, because I don't see anything majorly strong in the women, dance-ability wise. The strength I saw was in people like Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (Nitro) and, of course, Lewis Cope."
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