Strictly's Craig Revel Horwood Calls for Pete Wicks' Disqualification Over Illegal Lifts

In the UK, BBC Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has reignited a debate after calling for disqualification of participants Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal during their Rumba performance on a recent Saturday night episode. Their routine featured 'illegal' lifts, which prompted differing reactions from the judges. Head judge Shirley Ballas noted the lifts but expressed a willingness to overlook them, a stance that Horwood vehemently opposed, underscoring the importance of adhering to competition rules. Despite Horwood's tough stance on disqualification, he acknowledged the couple's growth in the competition. Following the performance, viewers voiced their discontent on social media, criticizing perceived inconsistencies in how the judges evaluate performances. Many felt that Ballas’s leniency towards the lifts would not have applied if a different couple had performed the routine, leading to accusations of bias in judging. On the following Sunday, Horwood reiterated his position in an interview, emphasizing that while disqualifications are rare, there should be consequences for ignoring rules. This incident sparked broader discussions about fairness and consistency in judging standards within the show.