EntertainmentCraig Revel HorwoodNicola AdamsBill Bailey

Craig Revel Horwood Has Already Started On This Year's Strictly Come Dancing Contestants, Before They've Even Danced A Step

It might be best to wait until you've actually seen them perform, Craig.
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By 

Entertainment Editor

During his time on the panel, Craig Revel Horwood has earned himself a reputation as the most outspoken of the Strictly Come Dancing judges – and this year he’s started voicing his opinions on the celebrities before he’s even seen them dance.

Asked for his thoughts on this year’s line-up during a Mecca Bingo Online appearance (via The Sun), Craig took a jab at contestants Nicola Adams and Bill Bailey.

Of the Olympic boxer, Craig admitted he feared she would be “punching above her weight, darling” when it came to dance ability, but did say he was excited to see her performing as part of Strictly’s first ever same-sex pairing.

“I am looking forward to seeing a same sex couple,” he added. “That’s going to be cool.” 

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Craig Revel Horwood
Dave J Hogan via Getty Images

Here’s hoping she can prove him wrong when the series finally gets underway later this year.

Meanwhile, Craig was similarly cutting when it came to stand-up comedian Bill Bailey, predicting he would be “terrible”, but noting he was “looking forward to the disasters”.

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Nicola Adams and Bill Bailey are two of this year's Strictly stars
AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth/Shutterstock/Ken McKay/ITV

All 12 of this year’s Strictly contestants were announced last week, with actor Caroline Quentin, former NFL player Jason Bell and The Wanted singer Max George competing against Nicola and Bill.

Also on the show are broadcaster Ranvir Singh, Radio 1 DJ Clara Amfo, Invictus Games player and presenter JJ Chalmers, pop star HRVY and EastEnders star Maisie Smith.

Completing the line-up are former home secretary Jacqui Smith and Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing, returning to Strictly after an injury cost him his spot on last year’s series.

Due to the coronavirus crisis, the forthcoming series will look a little different to usual, running for less time than previous years and without Bruno Tonioli on the judging panel.

Although a start date is yet to be confirmed, Strictly is expected to return to our screens in October.

'Strictly Come Dancing': All The Winners
Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole(01 of16)
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Newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky was the first star to ever triumph in the inaugural series of 'Strictly Come Dancing', back in 2004, when there were just seven competitors to beat.Having obviously been a hit with 'Strictly' viewers, she was later chosen to cover for regular presenter Tess Daly, when she went on maternity leave. (credit:BBC)
Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennet(02 of16)
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Clearly sensing they were onto a winner, the BBC decided to kick-start the second series of 'Strictly' just three months after Natasha Kaplinsky's victory, securing its spot in the Saturday night schedule in the latter half of the year.Jill Halfpenny was crowned winner second time around, along with her partner, Darren Bennet. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova(03 of16)
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Darren became the first male celebrity to triumph in the 'Strictly Come Dancing' final in 2005, beating Colin Jackson and eventual 'It Takes Two' presenter Zoe Ball in the process. (credit:Michael Boyd/PA Archive)
Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy(04 of16)
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Cricket player Mark Ramprakash took home the glitter-ball trophy a year later.Here he is performing with his professional partner, Karen Hardy, at the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year Awards a year after his victory. (credit:David Davies/PA Archive)
Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler(05 of16)
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'Strictly' helped breathe new life into Alesha's career, when she and partner Matthew Cutler were crowned winners.Her smash hit solo single 'The Boy Does Nothing' followed soon after, not to mention a spot on the 'Strictly' judging panel... until Simon Cowell decided to snare her for 'BGT', that is. (credit:BBC)
Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup(06 of16)
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'Holby City' actor Tom Chambers' public profile skyrocketed, when he and his professional partner, Camilla Dallerup, were crowned winners of the sixth series.They beat TV presenter Lisa Snowdon and 'Negotiate With Love' singer Rachel Stevens in the live final, back in 2008. (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)
Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan(07 of16)
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Chris Hollins gave professional dancer Ola Jordan her first, and so far only, win back in 2010. (credit:BBC)
Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev(08 of16)
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Kara and Artem had a double victory in 2010.Shortly after taking home the glitter-ball trophy, they announced that they were dating. (credit:Rowan Miles/PA Archive)
Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani(09 of16)
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Can we please just take a moment to appreciate this photo? (credit:David Jones/PA Archive)
Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace(10 of16)
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The tenth series was won by Olympian Louis Smith and his professional partner, Flavia Cacace. (credit:Georgie Gillard/Associated Newspapers/REX)
Abbey Clancy and Aljaž Skorjanec(11 of16)
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In the first ever all-female 'Strictly' final, Abbey beat Susanna Reid and Natalie Gumede to the glitter-ball trophy.Fourth place was also a female contestant, with Sophie Ellis-Bextor leaving the competition at the semi-final stage. (credit:Rui Vieira/PA Archive)
Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev(12 of16)
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Caroline Flack, who took part in the competition less than a year after leaving 'X Factor' spin-off show, 'Xtra Factor'. Apparently sensing her popularity was on the rise, Simon Cowell quickly signed her up to host the main show, alongside Olly Murs. (credit:BBC)
Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani(13 of16)
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When the 2015 contestants were first announced, no one would have tipped Jay for victory, particularly after he continuously played down his dancing abilities.

Cut to a couple of months later, though, and that Glitter-ball trophy was his. (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton(14 of16)
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TV presenter Ore Oduba beat off stiff competition from 'Hollyoaks' star Danny Mac who was hot favourite to lift the glitterball trophy in 2016. (credit:PA Archive/PA Images)
Joe McFadden and Katya Jones(15 of16)
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'Holby City' actor Joe was the dark horse of the competition, rising through the ranks as the weeks went on to triumph over Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee and Gemma Atkinson in the 2017 final. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton(16 of16)
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Stacey and Kevin were the surprise winners of the 2018 series, triumphing over other finalists Ashley Roberts, Faye Tozer and Joe Sugg. The pair later went on to begin a relationship. (credit:Aaron Chown - PA Images via Getty Images)
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