Be sure to come and danceThe longest-serving judge has pointed out that despite all the controversy surrounding the BBC show, the dancers should be strict with their celebrity partners so that the series does not become “watered down and boring”.

Dancer and choreographer Craig Revel Horwood, who has been with the BBC show since its inception in 2004, has spoken out amid ongoing controversy over allegations of poor behaviour by professional dancers behind the scenes and in rehearsal studios.

In an interview with The sun In the newspaper, Revel Horwood said of the celebrities who will take part in this year’s series:

“You just have to be able to take criticism. Otherwise we live in a world where no one is criticized, and things become watered down and boring, and no one makes an effort.”

“I hope the level doesn’t drop this year.

“When I teach casts for shows in rehearsals, I still have to be pretty strict. I think you have to be.

“Can you imagine an Olympian winning gold even though his coach isn’t strict?

“If I say, ‘Oh, that was really bad, you have to try again,’ I won’t cry.”

His words follow the departure of two high-profile dancers who were accused of bad behaviour. Graziano di Prima was accused of kicking his partner Zara McDermott, which he denies, but he has quit the show and apologised for his “competitive training”. The other, Giovanni Pernice, denies all allegations made against him by his partner last year, actress Amanda Abbington, and the BBC has not yet published its findings of an internal investigation into the matter.

The BBC recently announced new protocols for the series, including chaperones in all rehearsal rooms, which Revel Horwood welcomed. He said:

“I think the idea of ​​having a supervisor is a really good one in this regard, because some behaviour could be misunderstood.

“It’s similar with dancing. We speak a lot of French, so it’s technical jargon.

“It’s about learning a completely different language.”

He added: “However, I would not tolerate any insults in a rehearsal room.

The 20th anniversary of Be sure to come and dance will start in the next few weeks, this year’s lineup has already been announced.