STRICTLY: It Takes Two fans were left open-mouthed as Craig Revel-Horwood delivered some brutal remarks about Fleur East.
Judge Craig joined host Janette Manrara on the spin off show on Thursday, as he revealed the reason why popstar Fleur has ended up in the dance off for a second time.
TV favourite Craig stunned viewers when he admitted that Fleur had not “won the hearts of the nation”.
Presenter Janette asked Craig why he thought the Sax hitmaker was in the bottom two again.
“Well, you’ve got to remember it’s a popularity contest,” Craig explained.
Janette interjected: “The fifth judge,” referring to the viewers at home.
READ MORE ON STRICLY
He agreed and said: “Of course it is, so you do have to canvass for votes, now how you do that is up to you.
“I mean you do have to win the hearts and minds of the nation as well.”
Craig then drew on a comparison with popstar Alesha Dixon, who won the fifth series of the BBC One dancing competition show and went onto become a judge, after finding herself in the bottom two on three occasions.
He continued: “Fleur is a lovely dancer, she is absolutely gorgeous and let’s not forget.
“Other people like Alesha Dixon were in the bottom two for three weeks and then went onto win it and judge it.
“Even if Fleur’s in the bottom again, you never know.”
Viewers were stunned by Craig’s brutal honesty after suggesting Fleur was just not “popular” with viewers at home.
One wrote: “Craig explaining a bit more why Fleur always ends up in the dance-off challenge. #ItTakesTwo”
Another posted: “Craig coming with cold hard thrust here. It’s always been half a popularity contest, half a dance contest. How many bad dancers outstayed their welcome because they were popular? #ItTakesTwo”
A third fumed: “Craig it’s not a popularity contest – this isn’t love island mate. This is an “Entertainment/ Dance contest” #Strictly #ItTakesTwo”
“Alesha Dixon was in the bottom two three times People have already said Fleur is getting the Alexandra Burke treatment this year AGAIN…seriously can people just call out WHY this is happening #Strictly #ItTakesTwo,” someone else tweeted.
It comes after The Sun revealed that Fleur had to restart during the pre-recorded show after a tumble with pro dance partner Vito Coppola.
The popstar has since said that she was prepared to continue after a dramatic fall in the dance-off – but bosses pulled the plug.
The disastrous moment was not broadcast or even mentioned during Sunday’s results show.
Speaking about the incident for the first time on Loose Women today, Fleur said: “As soon as it happened I was ready to keep going.
“I always think, ‘the show goes on’, but production decided to stop the music.”
Vito told how he hit the deck at the start of their routine and was then checked over by medics.
The pair blamed “health and safety” for the dance having to be re-recorded.
Vito said: “I fell down on the chair. Everyone was gasping, but Fleur was ready to keep going.
“[The medics] made sure I was OK.”
Read More on The Sun
Despite the unfortunate incident, Fleur and Vito were saved by the judges.
They voted the pair through at the expense of EastEnder James Bye.
