Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood criticises professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin for allegedly including “illegal lifts” in his routine with celebrity partner Dani Dyer. The comments come after Dani and Nikita perform in week 8, following earlier success in the competition, and after hosts ask the judges for feedback.
Metro and the Manchester Evening News both say Craig tells Nikita that the routine would have been “fantastic” if he had not incorporated lifts that break the show’s rules, including an expectation that “one foot should remain on the floor at all times.” Metro adds that Craig points to multiple “massive” lifts in the choreography. Both outlets report that Nikita responds calmly.
The Independent frames similar criticism around the “taking the mick” remark and the alleged rule-breaking lifts. Across all sources provided, the coverage centres on the judge’s critique and the debate it sparks among fans, with other details of the routine described more generally rather than contested.
