Craig Revel Horwood delivers verdict on Strictly Come Dancing hosts
Craig Revel Horwood has shared his thoughts on Strictly Come Dancing's new presenting line-up.
Craig Revel Horwood believes Strictly Come Dancing's new hosts have brought "an extra oomph of energy" to the show.
The 61-year-old choreographer admitted it was a "jolt" to see Josh Widdecombe, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe replace Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly as hosts, but he thinks they've all brought something fresh to the show and things are going well.
He wrote in his column for Radio Times magazine: "I’m really loving this new season of Strictly, and I love the new hosts. I think they provide an extra oomph of energy. Josh is very funny, and Emma is the ultimate professional. And it’s great that we’ve got JoJo upstairs, who can demonstrate a bit of dancing as well. He’s the first host we’ve ever had who’s an accomplished dancer.
"Of course, it was a little bit tentative at first without Tess and Claudia. It’s a jolt, like changing your family members. On the first show this year, we were all thinking, “Oh, how’s this going to go? What’s going to happen?”
"And I feel like we’ve got over all of that, and everyone knows what they’re doing. Like all good relationships, it takes time to develop. And I think it’s developed really nicely."
Craig has been a judge on the show since it began in 2004 and he believes a willingness to change aspects of the show has been responsible for Strictly's longevity.
He said: "I think change is what breathes fresh life into the production. People’s tastes change every year - fashion, music, culture - and Strictly is always keeping up with that. I think that’s what holds it at the top of its game, because it’s constantly moving with the times, and introducing new dances, styles and types of dancers every year."
One such change was the decision during Halloween Week to have three couples in the dance-off, with the judges voting for who they wanted to send home, rather than who they wanted to save.
And Craig recently admitted that although the energy in the room was "weird" at the time, he'd love for the format to be adopted more often.
He said on Strictly: It Takes Two: "It was a little bit weird, I’ve got to be honest. We’re used to saving people and getting a cheer, but it was tumbleweed, darling. I thought, 'Oh, this feels a bit weird', but I sort of liked it."
Asked if he'd like to vote that way again, he added: "Oh yes, please. You - out, go home! I love it."
