Strictly Come Dancing's Craig Revel Horwood suggests "disqualification" for Pete Wicks
Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas defended the couple.
Strictly Come Dancing's Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał left Craig Revel Horwood dismayed this week after incorporating an "illegal" lift into their routine.
The couple danced a Rumba to Don't Look Back In Anger by Oasis, which effectively split the judging panel as Craig held firm as a stickler for the rules of ballroom.
The stern judge began his feedback by saying: "As for the lifts, that is totally illegal. One foot should remain on the floor at times."
He continued: "Of course, it's up to the professional if they want to lose marks for that – and of course, you'll be marked down for that.
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"And I think even a disqualification, darling, but then I'm not the head judge so there you are. [But] I have an issue with that because I think you should follow the rules."
The comment caused the judging panel and studio audience to erupt in protest, with Motsi Mabuse saying that they would "never" disqualify Wicks, and head judge Shirley Ballas concurring that it was not an action on the table tonight.
Craig did finish on a positive note, adding: "That being said... I do like seeing how committed you are to this because I can see very clearly that you have been studying and studying and studying to make this good."
Nevertheless, he went on to get into a spat with Shirley regarding Wicks's "hip action", with the latter issuing a stern defence – even bringing it up again as she gave the couple a score of six.
Craig, meanwhile, stuck to his word of marking them down for the illegal lift, offering Pete and Jowita a disappointing four points.
Their grand total came to 22, placing them third from the bottom on the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard. Will that be enough to see them into next week?
Tune in to tomorrow night's results show to find out.
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturdays and Sundays on BBC One. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
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Authors
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
