Strictly's Craig Revel Horwood berates Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin for "illegal lifts"

Viewers aren't happy.

Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin listening to judges' criticism on Strictly Come Dancing

BBC

Published: Saturday, 14 November 2026 at 7:23 pm

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Things got a little tense - and rather technical - in this week's Strictly Come Dancing, with Dani Dyer and her partner Nikita Kuzmin being scolded for several "illegal lifts".

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The pair took to the dance floor in Week 8 for an intense Paso Doble to Everybody Wants To Rule The World.

Despite delivering an impressive performance, judge Craig Revel Horwood was left unimpressed by the choreography, declaring it "littered with illegal lifts".

Lifts are banned in the 10 core traditional ballroom and Latin dances: Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Tango, Paso Doble, Jive, Cha-Cha, Samba, and Rumba.

Craig went on to say: "You're taking the mick with four massive lifts in that. One foot should remain on the floor at all times."

The other judges were more complimentary, with Motsi Mabuse praising the pair's energy despite some "technical mistakes".

Craig Revel-Horwood on Strictly Come Dancing.

Craig Revel-Horwood BBC

Shirley Ballas added that she loved the "flamenco pieces" and, while Anton Du Beke conceded that "some of it was spent in the air", he added that he loved how different Dani's performance seemed compared to previous weeks.

On social media, fans had mixed opinions about Craig's comments, with some claiming that other couples hadn't been criticised for illegal lifts.

One said: "Each couple needs to be critiqued the same. Don’t nitpick some couples for illegal lifts and not others."

Another added: "There's no way Dani's Paso was a 6 ( illegal lifts or not) come on Craig," with one more viewer saying: "Illegal? Who cares bc they brought the [fire]."

Others supported Craig's decision, with one viewer saying: "As Craig said, they let the odd illegal lift go, but Dani had 4 illegal lifts. That's why he docked her points."

In 2022, Nikita and his then-partner Ellie Simmonds were docked a point by Shirley, after an illegal lift in their Paso Doble.

Elsewhere this week, Aljaž Škorjanec partnered up with Delta Goodrem after her usual partner, Kai Widdrington, was forced to miss a week due to illness.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturdays and Sundays weekly on BBC One and iPlayer.

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Authors

Louise GriffinSci-Fi and Fantasy Editor

Louise Griffin is the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Editor for Radio Times, covering everything from Doctor Who, Star Wars and Marvel to House of the Dragon and Good Omens. She previously worked at Metro as a Senior Entertainment Reporter and has a degree in English Literature.

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