EXCLUSIVE: Craig Revel Horwood has gone against his initial prediction for Denise Van Outen to win this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing, and said the show is ultimately a popularity contest.

TV’s Mr Nasty was convinced the West End star would walk away with the gitterball trophy at the beginning of the competition – but now thinks the race is wide open.

Probed on whether he was standing by his decision to back Denise, he told Metro: ‘I don’t know. It’s really down to the audience now. It’s a popularity contest in the end.

‘The public are now making informed choices. We’re 10 series into Strictly now, people now know a lot about dancing. They know what to look for, technically as well.’
Strictly Come DancingDenise has been top of the leaderboard for the majority of the series (Picture: BBC)

The esteemed choreographer went on to predict that Dani Harmer is for the chop this weekend, adding that ‘Lisa, Louis, Denise and probably Kimberley’ will make it through to the final.

But whoever walks away as this year’s champ, Craig is happy to admit he has enjoyed watching Lisa and Denise the most.

He raved: ‘Lisa is always happy and smiley and she’s a great dancer too and Denise is incredible. She’s just as good at ballroom as she is Latin – and that’s quite rare.

‘Even professional dancers find they’re better at one than the other.’

Craig is right - it is a popularity content

Any reality show is always going to be a popularity contest. However good a dancer people won't vote for someone they don't like.

I predict he would save Lisa in a dance off with Dani.

There will be uproar if he does!!

Same for Craig then. He has let his personal prejudices and preferences affect his judgment like never before so I really don't want to listen to Craig lecturing me on my personal favourites.

Craig Revel Horwood-Pot-Kettle-Black

I think Bruno would save Dani over Lisa and maybe Len too- an d I would even back Darcey to save Dani

Lisa is the first person he names as going to the final. Wow.

The irony is that if Craig had done his dead face and said to Lisa four or five weeks ago 'Stop doing the same dance' and given her a 2, she'd probably be coming out of this show a better dancer. But no, he's gone along with the idea that everyone wants to see them do side by side. Hypocrite. He's going to be doing side by side dances with her in panto for years, isn't he.

edit to add: yes, whatever Craig does, Len and Bruno would save Dani over Lisa.

Absolutely agree . He allowed his own financial gain colour his judgement .He ignored Lisas faults and hammered into Louis .
I wouldnt listen to a word he says again without a sneer .

He raved: ‘Lisa is always happy and smiley and she’s a great dancer too and Denise is incredible. She’s just as good at ballroom as she is Latin – and that’s quite rare.

Craig is correct as far as the public are concerned but he is paid to judge / comment and advise on the dance content

Lisa is not a great dancer unless hell has frozen over and I do feel qualified to make that remark

We all know what Craig's motive is for choosing to ignore the lack of dancing content of one contestant this year.

Oh Craig, why can't you shut up? You shouldn't be saying who you have enjoyed most. If you now save Lisa - especially over Dani - your credibility (what's left of it) is gone,

Also, we've seen Denise's hips in Latin.

And Denise's Latin has been on the decidedly dodgy side so he's not exactly being truthful either which makes it even more.

It's not even just a popularity contest. The judges comments and scores have been so false this series that it's leaving a bad taste in my mouth. I know every show is edited, but it's just ridiculous now.

Thanks for stating the obvious Craig.

I would hope for the same - and they should, because Dani is a much better dancer. I do like Lisa - but this week, she really should go.

I have a feeling she might not though.

Has anyone ever been great at all of the Latin dances? They are so varied that even the pros have their strengths and weaknesses. I don't think there has been a single celeb who has been good at all of the Latin dances. Jill probably came the closest.

Craigs job is to judge fairly and he didnt .So bog off Craig . Not interested in your opinion .

Well, duh, it's Lisa of course!

Hope he isn't right about Dani going tomorrow instead of Lisa! Dani's my favourite!

I think Dani has been chosen as the sacrificial lamb. Kimberley has a much higher profile, so they probably want her to go further. I don't think the show is "fixed" as such, but I think they do everything but that. They can largely control what happens through the judges comments/VTs etc.

Isn't the problem that they are not likely to be faced with that choice. My guess is that it could be Dani vs Denise, even though that's not how it should be.

Oh no! Vincent will cry.

I may too.......


You are right, Lisa may not be in the dance off at all.

Based on the footage and how the vote seems to be going


1. Denise 5 + 1 = 6
2. Louis 4+ 5 = 9
3. Kimberley 3 + 2 = 5
4. Dani 2 + 3 = 5
5. Lisa 1 + 4 = 5

Dance off would be Dani v Kimberley if the leaderboard from thre judges went like this

Who would go - probably Dani