Craig Revel Horwood drops jaws as he unveils wild new look hours before Strictly (original) (raw)

Strictly Come Dancing judge, Craig Revel Horwood, is getting ready for another star-studded series of the BBC One show, which kicks off tonight at 7.20pm

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Craig Revel Horwood shows off new beard

Craig Revel Horwood has divided fans with his new look hours before Strictly Come Dancing starts.

The show's judge, 59, is getting ready for the new series of the sequin-strew programme, which starts tonight on BBC One. Taking to Instagram ahead of the eagerly-awaited launch, the Beeb has shared a video of Craig and fellow judges, Anton Du Beke, Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse.

Fans loved to see the "band back together" voguing, dressed to the nines, however they were left stunned by Craig's new bushy beard, which caused quite a reaction on social media.

With many saying they loved the star's new look, one replied to the post saying: "Omg Craig looks incredible. Loving the facial hair." Another agreed, commenting: "Craig with a beard is something I didn’t know I needed."

Strictly fans were divided by Craig Revel Horwood's new bushy beard

The star says he hopes 'standards won't slip' on the show ahead of the launch (

Image:

PA)

However, others were bamboozled by the beard, with several comparing Craig to TV star, Rylan. One posted: "I thought that was Rylan for a minute, I can’t get over Craig's beard" while another asked: "Is that Rylan?"

Elsewhere, fans thought Craig bore a striking similarity to comedian Jason Manford as one mused: "Since when did Jason Manford become a judge? Craig with a beard?"

Viewers can't wait to tune into Strictly tonight after a tough few months for the programme. Despite reports of results of the BBC's investigation into reports Giovanni Pernice was "abusive" to his celebrity partner, Amanda Abbington - which the Italian denies - were imminent, they still haven't been released.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Craig said he hopes standards won't slip in the show after it was announced that chaperones have been drafted in for all rehearsals.

He said: "I hope that wouldn't happen. I think you do have to be strict - can you imagine an Olympian getting gold without his or her trainer not being strict? I think you've still got to be strict, and there'll be chaperones in there if anything untoward is to happen."

Craig also suggested the series was likely to be "emotional" as it was the 20th anniversary of the hit series. He admitted he hopes the furore around the series would calm down once is began this weekend.

Speaking to Bella, he continued: "After the investigation when we find out the truth, I just want to know what is going on and until that happens, everything is speculation. I don't want that to ruin everybody's enjoyment of what is a fantastic format that has gone to 63 countries worldwide and never failed."

The BBC announced in July it would put a member of the Strictly Come Dancing production staff in all future rehearsals following complaints about the behaviour of two former pro dancers during training.

They have also added two new dedicated welfare producers, as part of a string of extra measures. A statement from the corporation said: "The BBC is announcing additional steps to strengthen welfare and support on Strictly Come Dancing. Concerns that have arisen in recent months have been fundamentally about training and rehearsals. The actions we announce are designed to address that."

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