The contestants of Strictly Come Dancing’s 18th series are yet to hit the dance floor, but already judge Craig Revel Horwood is rating their chances.
The 55-year-old, who has a rep as the show’s most critical judge, doesn’t seem to think Olympic champion boxer Nicola Adams will be able to replicate her success in the ring on the dancefloor.
Speaking to The Sun, Revel Horwood said: “I think Nicola Adams will be punching above her weight, darling.” The phrase can also be used in the context of someone dating someone better looking.
Adams, 37, is set to make Strictly history as being part of the show’s first ever same-sex dance couple – something Revel Horwood himself admits “is going to be cool.”
Nicola Adams - In pictures
However, it seems Adams has responded to Revel Horwood’s barbed comments towards her.
Taking to Twitter, the two-time gold medallist told her 92,000 followers: “Tell me I can’t and that’s why I will.”
Bill Bailey also faced Revel Horwood’s wrath, with the judge assuming the comedian is going to be “terrible.”
“I’m looking forward to the disasters!” he added.
Revel Horwood’s early comments have reportedly upset the Strictly camp, with an insider telling the newspaper: “Craig always shoots from the hip, and won’t be kowtowed into diplomatic silence.
"On his cutting remarks on Nicola though, Craig wasn’t being misogynistic — he was simply referring to her dancing as she has openly said she’s not a natural mover.
“Obviously at this stage of the competition, he shouldn’t be saying who he thinks the best and worst dancers will be. He is supposed to be neutral — so this isn’t great.”
The Evening Standard has contacted a representative for Strictly for comment.
Strictly Come Dancing is set to return in the Autumn on BBC One