The celebrity cast of Strictly Come Dancing are reportedly unimpressed with Craig Revel Horwood after the judge made a “rude” comment about former contestant Stacey Dooley.
The stars are said to be unhappy with Craig for saying hopefuls should “sleep with their partners” in a cruel jibe apparently directed at the documentary maker, 32, who found romance with pro partner Kevin Clifton, 36, in 2018.
According to The Sun, a source said the cast thought the joke was “completely unprofessional and rude”.
Read more: Strictly Come Dancing star Jamie Laing’s future in jeopardy
They told the publication: “The cast thinks it’s completely unprofessional and rude, given his massive pay packet and position of power. They don’t understand how he can fairly judge now.”
ED! has contacted the BBC for comment.
Craig is believed to have made the quip on Friday (30.08.19) during filming for the programme’s launch show, when he claimed that Stacey and Kevin – who won the competition in 2018 – proved that it “helped” contestants if they slept with their professional partners.
Host Tess Daly had asked the judging panel for their advice to this year’s cast.
Choreographer Craig, 54, said contestants should draw inspiration from Stacey, but then added: “Stacey was dragged up from the dance gutter… of course, if you sleep with your dance partner, that helps.”
According to reports, filming immediately came to a halt as aides spoke with Stacey and her family, who were in the audience. Producers had to re-shoot the panel sequence.
A source quoted by The Sun on Sunday called it an “awful moment” and said that while Craig was clearly “trying to be funny”, he realised as soon as the words left his mouth that he had taken it “too far”.
Read more: Strictly stars James and Ola Jordan reveal they’re having a baby
They went on to say that Stacey’s mother, Di, was visibly upset and left the Strictly studio “in floods of tears”.
Craig has since apologised, admitting his words were “hurtful” and “cruel”.
He said in his public apology, as reported by The Sun: “I’m deeply sorry for the offence caused to Kevin and Stacey and everyone who works on the show.
“I recognise that what I said was hurtful, cruel and incredibly disrespectful. It was a huge error of judgment that I very much regret.”
Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think of this story.