Craig once revelled in his role as the BBC show’s pantomime villain

A FORMER Strictly star claims that Craig Revel Horwood “crumbled under pressure” to give Tasha Ghouri a perfect score of 40 on Saturday night.

It comes after the judge revealed he was reining in his comments towards celebrity dancers over fears he will be cancelled.

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A former Strictly star claims Craig Revel Horwood ‘crumbled under pressure’ to give Tasha her perfect scoreCredit: BBC

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Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec landed the first ­perfect 40 of this seriesCredit: BBC

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Brendan Cole has given his verdict on the scoreCredit: Getty
The judge of 20 years gave a rare 10 score to Tasha and her pro partner Aljaz Skorjanec on Saturday.

They landed the first ­perfect 40 of the series for their American Smooth to Lewis Capaldi’s Someone You Loved.

Now former Strictly pro Brendan Cole has given his verdict on why Craig gave Love Island star Tasha a 10.

The ballroom star told skyvegas.com: “It [Craig Revel Horwood not giving a ten this series] was built up so much that he had to give it [to Tasha Ghouri].

“I would have given her a ten before, and not on Saturday night.

“We’re going into the final stages, so there has to be some perfect scores, otherwise people get upset.”

Going on Brendan added: “It wasn’t worthy [of a 40] but I don’t want to take away from the dance, because the dance was beautiful, and it was really well performed.

“It was near perfect, but we’re talking about somebody who is essentially a trained dancer, so I don’t want it near perfect – I want it absolutely perfect to be able to give it a ten.”

Meanwhile, Craig’s new approach comes in the wake of the Giovanni Pernice-Amanda Abbington bullying probe, and Graziano Di Prima’s axe for appearing to kick Zara McDermott.

He revealed how he has been forced to tone down his Mr Nasty act following the bullying scandal.

The Aussie star has opted for kinder words for contestants in this year’s series.

Speaking to Radio Times, Craig said: “I have changed my style of judging.

“I was really harsh 20 years ago.

“When I look back, I think, ‘Ooh, that’s ­cutting.’

“I do still say what’s wrong, but you can wrap the truth in a nice way.

“It’s how can I reach out to them and help them to improve, rather than just ­saying, ‘This is wrong, that’s wrong’.

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Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas cheer a rare 10 from stoic Craig Revel HorwoodCredit: PA

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Craig has binned his barbs for kinder words for contestants in this year’s seriesCredit: Rex
“I’m thinking more like a teacher than a judge.”

On Saturday Craig initially stayed stony-faced when he gave a “10” to Tasha and Ajaz.

However, he eventually broke into a smile as he was hugged by judges Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas alongside Anton Du Beke.

Craig, a judge for 20 years, once revelled in his role as the BBC show’s pantomime villain — and would regularly receive death threats.

Among his past catty comments, he told broadcaster Jeremy Vine that he danced “like a stork that had been struck by lightning.”

He gleefully informed former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith that she “limped about like you were lost at a party somewhere, drunk”.

Craig even went for pal and then-dancer Anton for “awful fake teeth he was wearing” — before realising they were Anton’s own.

In 2018, he also gave Anton and fashion writer Susannah Constantine the lowest possible “1” score for a routine.

The Aussie has used the “1” paddle more than any other judge, and said he would have scored some contestants “0” had the paddle been available.

Fans should not worry he’s changed too much, as he admits he’ll never play too nice.

Craig said: “I’m not there for their emotions.

“I don’t care how it affects them in that way, because they need to learn and respect my opinion.”

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Craig’s new approach comes in the wake of the Giovanni Pernice-Amanda Abbington bullying probeCredit: PA