Strictly Come Dancing 2019: Craig Revel Horwood slams critics who claim Dev and Dianne shouldn’t have left show

Craig Revel Horwood has hit back at critics who say that Dev Griffin and Dianne Buswell should not have left the competition last weekend.

The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 54, said Dev was the “right person to go on the night” as he was “the worst dancer”.

Viewers were left stunned on Sunday night after the BBC Radio 1 DJ and the Strictly pro were kicked out after losing the dance off against Emma Thynn, Viscountess Weymouth, and Aljaž Skorjanec.

The couple’s final dance was the Cha Cha to Dancing with a Stranger, which the judges originally awarded them 27 points for.

Former Strictly dancer James Jordan later claimed the judges “didn’t do their jobs” and dubbed the exit as “a bit of a farce”.

Speaking at the Best Heroes Awards, Horwood told the Mirror: “They [critics] can kick off as much as they like. How much do they know about the cha cha cha? Nothing darling… so they can kick off.

“Dev was the worst dancer on the night but if he had done his other routines then he may have been successful going through.”

In response to Jordan’s comments, he added: “James Jordan is just out for publicity and if he was on the judging panel, I’m telling you looking at it you have to judge on what you see.”

After the divisive result was announced, Griffin, 34, said he was “absolutely gutted” to be leaving the show.

“Learning how to dance, hanging out with Dianne and the other pros and celebs… I’ve absolutely loved it,” he said.

Buswell, 30, added: “This boy has so much talent, I’m really sad he won’t be able to show you guys any more of it.” 

Last year Buswell finished as a runner-up in the competition with her dance partner and boyfriend, Joe Sugg.