Strictly Come Dancing faces viewer backlash to ‘cringe’ judges dance | Celebrity News | Showbiz & TV

Strictly Come Dancing judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel-Horwood took to the dancefloor tonight to help launch the 2023 competition, but they received mixed reactions from viewers.

Many of them felt the performances were lacking and they took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to vent.

@TraylorHolmes asked: “Does anyone else cringe when the judges dance? #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly”

A user with the handle @scottm quipped: “Quite brave of these four celebs to do such a big first number in their #Strictly journey but with work I’m sure they’ll improve over the series. Oh, wait, they’re the judges.”

@photoquilter1 queried: “I’m sorry, are the judges bringing back group formation dancing now on #Strictly?”

Several of them singled out Craig Revel-Horwood’s performance as the weakest. Although he has been with the show since the very first episode 21 years ago many felt he was below par in the group dance.

@JCRBroad commented: “A ten for all the judges apart from Craig, oh dear #Strictly.” (sic)

Meanwhile @AAngels05 said: “Yeaaahh soz Craig you’re deffo the weakest dancer out of the 4 judges I give you a 2 and that’s because I can’t find my 1 #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.” (sic)

Elsewhere @TeresaGuerreir2 quipped: “Three judges can dance! One is well past it… #Strictly #strictly.” (sic)

It wasn’t just the dancing which caused umbrage. @GraceHBDalton took offence at the use of Kylie Minogue’s smash hit Padam Padam during part of the routine.

“So I’m a prude and I absolutely do not care, those Kylie lyrics should not be in a family show. I’m totally serious (of course, this also applies to other lyrics that have been included in #Strictly) #StrictlyComeDancing,” she wrote. (sic)

However, several others really enjoyed the spectacle and made their feelings known.

@SL_Dee73 commented: “Absolutely LOVE the Judges & Pro dance. Wish they’d do more of them @bbcstrictly #Strictly.” (sic)

A user with the handle @mishybabez_ exclaimed: “Wow the professionals and judges were outstanding Fabulous dance routine well done everyone #Strictly.”

@Peter_H_Todd chimed in: “Wow! Wow! Wow! That group dance with the @BBCStrictly professionals & #Strictly judges was absolutely fab-ul-ous. #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.” (sic)