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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Charlotte Tutton

Strictly judge Craig slates Judi Love's routine as she returns after Covid battle

Judi Love was met mostly by positive feedback, as she made her return to Strictly Come Dancing.

But judge Craig Revel Horwood slated the routine, with nothing good to say about it all - leaving his fellow judges baffled.

The Loose Women star and her professional dance partner Graziano di Prima were forced to miss last weekend's live show, after she tested positive for Covid-19.

There was concern she would not return to the show this week too, with her being unwell and not being able to rehearse.

With little time to practice their routine, they were permitted to perform the dance they were meant to be performing last Saturday, with a Halloween twist.

Craig Revel Horwood slated the routine, with nothing good to say about it all (BBC)

It was only on Friday night that Judi confirmed she was back on the show, amid fears she would have to pull out altogether.

During Saturday's show, Judi pulled out all the stops for her comeback dance, feeling the pressure no doubt after a week off and the fact she was in the dance-off the previous week.

Everyone said it was good to have her back and that her performance was impressive, given how poorly she has been.

Judi Love was met mostly by positive feedback, as she made her return to Strictly Come Dancing (BBC)

Craig was not impressed at all though, telling her: "It was flat-footed, stompy and for me it didn't work at all," before ending his commentary abruptly.

As co-judge Motsi Mabuse asked if that was all he had to say, he added: "You don't want me to go on, darling."

As everyone in the room booed, Judi took it in her stride telling Craig she loved him.

It comes after the star announced she would return to Strictly on Friday night’s It Takes Two, in her first public appearance since falling ill with the virus.

As everyone in the room booed, Judi took it in her stride telling Craig she loved him (BBC)

Judi chatted to host Rylan Clark as she appeared via video link for the BBC2 show, where she confirmed she would be back on the programme on Saturday night.

She said: "I'm alright, I'm here, I've got through it. I was rough but my mindset was about making sure I could get back and that I was safe and everybody was safe. That's the main thing.

"When I stepped on this dancefloor, I was like - this is where I'm meant to be. I missed it so much and it brought back so many memories over the last weeks. And it's Halloween week!"

The presenter is "so happy" to be back on the BBC One dancing show and promised her dance to Physical would be Halloween-themed, in keeping with the show's theme.

"Some people are saying the 80s are dead, but we're going to bring it back to life," she added.

"Let me tell you something, everything [about the costume] is very 80s."

It comes after the Loose Women star shared a video of her laid up in bed where she told fans her symptoms from the virus were 'very real.'

Judi announced she would return to Strictly on Friday night’s It Takes Two (BBC)

The 41-year-old, who lives in London with her two children, has been isolating after testing positive for the virus last week.

In keeping with government guidelines, Judi was forced to sit out of her Week Five performance on Saturday and watch the show from home.

A BBC spokesperson said at the time Judi and her professional partner Graziano hoped to return the following week.

Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturdays, with the results show on Sundays on BBC One.

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