Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has offered a fresh verdict on the show’s new presenters and the celebrities still competing, in a Radio Times feature published on 9 November 2026.
Craig gives his verdict on the new presenting trio
Craig Revel Horwood has delivered a fresh assessment of Strictly Come Dancing’s revamped presenting team, saying the new trio have settled into their roles after an uncertain start. Writing in Radio Times on Monday 9 November, the long-serving judge praised Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, while acknowledging that the change from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman initially felt unfamiliar. His comments offer a first-hand perspective from the judging desk rather than another round of speculation about the programme’s future.
Why the change took time
Horwood said the first show with the new presenters brought understandable nerves, but believes their on-screen relationship has developed over the weeks. He singled out Widdicombe’s humour, Willis’s professionalism and Radebe’s practical dance knowledge as different strengths. Radebe previously worked as a Strictly professional, so his new presenting position adds an experienced dancer’s voice to the team. The three were announced in May as replacements for Daly and Winkleman, who departed together after the 2025 series. Their appointments were confirmed well before this week’s interview; what is new is Horwood’s assessment of how they are performing now.
His view of the Halloween format change
The judge also reflected on the unusual three-way dance-off staged for Halloween. Rather than judging only whom to save, the panel faced a format in which they were deciding who would leave. Horwood described the altered atmosphere as more tense and said he enjoyed the experiment. That is his personal verdict, not confirmation that the same format will be repeated. The Halloween result saw Lawrence Robb depart after the judges’ decision, a separate event that has already been covered in the programme’s results reporting.
What Craig thinks the contestants must improve
The Radio Times feature went beyond the hosts, with Horwood giving strengths and areas for improvement for the remaining couples. He praised Dani Dyer’s commitment but suggested she could be less self-critical. Delta Goodrem’s performance experience and elegant lines stood out to him, although he identified footwork as an area to develop. He described Cach Mercer as naturally talented while emphasising the different technical demands of ballroom. For Will Best, the judge highlighted personality and effort, but wanted more control and grace. These are Horwood’s opinions, not new scores or predictions of an official elimination.
Lacey, Graeme and the race for the final
Horwood credited Lacey Turner with finding greater confidence after her Charleston and encouraged her to keep approaching routines positively. He also identified Graeme Hall’s timing and adaptability as strengths, while suggesting he use more space in his solo passages. Jaime Winstone, Tabby Stoecker and John Nellis likewise received individual pointers about confidence, projection and technique. The detailed comments are useful for viewers looking beyond the weekly leaderboard: they show which elements one of the show’s most experienced judges believes each celebrity could improve before the next performance.
What the comments do — and do not — confirm
Horwood’s assessment arrives immediately after Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu left the competition following a split judges’ vote decided by Shirley Ballas. In the new interview, Horwood expressed disappointment at Bethany’s departure, while acknowledging the technical challenges she still faced. His views do not overturn that result or establish who will win the series. He argued that technical progress alone is not enough: audience support also matters, making viewers an important part of each couple’s prospects.
What happens next on Strictly
The competition continues on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with the remaining couples preparing for another weekend of performances. No change of presenters or permanent Halloween-format switch was announced in this interview. The clearest development is Horwood’s current endorsement of the new hosts and his specific advice for the celebrities still dancing. Viewers can compare those comments with the performances and judges’ marks as the contest moves towards its final stages. This report draws on Horwood’s newly published Radio Times article, with the presenters’ original appointment independently documented by ITV News.