Craig Revel Horwood brands Shirley Ballas a Strictly Come Dancing 'villain'

He’s used to having the tag as Strictly Come Dancing’s baddie, but this year Craig Revel Horwood insists Shirley Ballas has taken on the role.

The 52-year-old outspoken panellist believes the BBC One dancing show’s new head judge’s critiques are too “technical” and thinks viewers may not understand her feedback.

He told The Sun: “Shirley is this year’s villain. She’s frighteningly technical with her criticism, and I know the audience might struggle with that.”

Craig also insisted Shirley “channelled” her look on the Halloween special episode when she dressed up as Cruella de Vil, the fictional villain from The Hundred and One Dalmatians.

He added: “She was a Halloween baddie in a Cruella de Vil costume – she totally channelled her.”

Among the feedback Shirley has given on the latest series, she told Simon Rimmer: “You have to learn what closes, what crosses, what’s a flat foot, what’s a toe.”

She also told Charlotte Hawkins that the Good Morning Britain co-host had “nine sets of eight”.

Like Craig, Shirley received an online backlash after voting to save Mollie King in Sunday’s dance-off, sending Aston Merrygold home in a Strictly shock.

A Strictly source told the publication: “Shirley is a stickler for technique and she’s proud of her dance knowledge. She’s trying to ignore social media for a while and not let other people’s opinions get to her but it does get hard, especially when the abuse is so personal.

“She was hoping Strictly would be a fun experience and wasn’t banking on a backlash.”

Despite the criticism, show bosses are said to be “delighted” with her efforts after replacing former head judge Len Goodman for the current series, and are keen for Shirley to continue with her detailed feedback.

Craig was slammed by some viewers, including former Strictly judge Alesha Dixon, over his decision to score Aston and his pro partner Janette Manrara just a four out of 10 for their performance on Saturday.

Alesha tweeted: “Craig giving Aston a 4 basically put the nail in the coffin! Ridiculous! Can’t believe one of the best dancers has left so soon!!! #Strictly (sic)”

But yesterday he dismissed some online claims he deliberately underscored Aston, telling The Sun: “That’s rubbish. I gave a list of what was wrong with it on the night. And Mollie did a better dance in the dance-off.”

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