James Jordan blasts Craig Revel Horwood’s ‘soft’ BBC Strictly approach as he rips into ‘offended’ society: ‘Winds me up!’

Strictly Come Dancing star James Jordan has issued a damning take on Craig Revel Horwood’s “softer” approach when critiquing contestants on the BBC competition.

The veteran judge recently opened up on why he decided to change his style of judging and told Radio Times: “It was really harsh 20 years ago.

“When I look back, I think, ‘Ooh, that’s cutting.’ It would now be classed as bullying, and then I’d be cancelled.

“It’s not fear of being cancelled. It’s just, how can I reach out to them and help them to improve, rather than just saying, ‘This is wrong, that’s wrong.’ I’m thinking more like a teacher.

“Over the years I’ve been keeping all these comments and so-called death threats from people who have five followers and no dance knowledge, and I’m going to shame them.”

His change in tact hasn’t gone unnoticed as many viewers called out the judge for his “softness” compared to how he was just a few years ago.

Now, former Strictly professional James Jordan has given his view on Horwood’s new approach and claimed the “offended” society “winds me up”.

Speaking with Buzz Bingo, Jordan was asked which of the judges he would replace if he was given the chance.

Whilst he first began with nothing but praise for the judges, noting that it was hard to choose someone and he loved them all for different reasons, it didn’t take him long to pinpoint Horwood.

He revealed that Horwood used to be his favourite, but his opinion changes the more they make changes to the show.

The star explained: “Craig obviously now is going down a different route where he feels he has to conform to a society that says you’re not allowed to be truthful because it upsets people too much. But unfortunately, that is life, right?

“It winds me up with my daughter who goes to school, and gets told that everyone’s a winner, but when she comes home, I say, ‘You’re not always going to win in life’.

“You have to learn what disappointment feels like, and if you’re going to go on a dance show, hopefully, none of these people think they’re going to become professional dancers unless they’re already professional dancers, which we’ve seen in previous years.

“Everyone takes it very seriously, and I took it very seriously because you work really hard, but you’ve got to be able to take criticism.

“I think it’s something in life that is very important because it teaches you and helps you learn and grow.

“If someone criticizes you, don’t get upset about it and depressed and cry and whatever people do nowadays, get offended by it.

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“They’re telling you what you’re doing wrong and that’s the only way you can improve right?”

He added that he didn’t think Horwood has ever been that harsh, and felt that some contestants should “take it on the chin and move forward”.