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Phoebe Fuller

Strictly fans slam 'disappointed' Craig Revel Horwood for score for Helen Skelton's jive

Fans have slammed Craig Revel Horwood tonight, for withholding a top score when judging Helen and Gorka's Jive. The Strictly Come Dancing judge is well known for being tough on the dancers, but has been much more generous with his scores tonight.

However, he joked that he was "disappointed" with Helen for making a tiny mistake right in front of him. The dance was otherwise perfect, but the mistake was enough for Craig to take back his 10.

Speaking to Helen and Gorka after their performance, he said: "Sadly, it [the mistake] was right in front of me. And I was almost reaching for my 10! I'm disappointed."

Read more: Strictly's Helen Skelton admits end of marriage to Richie Myler left her 'battle-hardened'

But fans urged Craig to give Helen and Gorka the top score anyway, as they praised the "sensational" dance. @ForBallumIWould said: "Craig will never give a 10 until the dance is absolutely perfect. [laughing emoji]. A tiny glitch shouldn’t have cost Helen 10s, she was still deserving of them this week, I think."

@SusieL said: "Go on Craig, give Helen a 10 anyway - that was fantastic!!" Followed by a series of 'fire' emojis. And @ShinnyShinyKey said: "Craig, f**k off. Give Helen the 10".

Craig was not the only judge to hold back a 10, though. All judges except Anton gave Helen and Gorka a score of 9 - with Anton giving top marks. This meant that Helen and Gorka have scored 37 points in their dance tonight.

Speaking to the couple after their performance, Motsi - who has pegged Helen for the final - said: "That was a real, real statement. Listen, I could go on for hours - and I can - and tell you absolutely everything that was great about that Jive, that was magnificent.

"You made a tiny, tiny mistake - it was a tiny, tiny one, you should have stood here in front of me, not in front of Craig and I would have smiled. Guys that was fantastic."

Head judge, Shirley, said: "Let me just say, to everybody who is about to dance a Jive, that is the way to do it. Light on the feet, you make it look absolutely easy. I love the fact that you use such musicality Gorka."

Helen and Gorka during Halloween week (BBC)

Referencing the small mistake, she added: "It's no big deal, you kept going, you kept moving on. I loved every single thing about that, it was just divine."

And Anton agreed, adding: "I loved that, I love it. It's everything I like in a dance." It was not just the judges that were impressed with the dance, either.

Viewers at home were left stunned by the performance. @Tbirdflieshigh said: "Helen and Gorka might be my dance of the night. The swag! (Janelle Monae a perfect choice) Helen been looking hot as hell (women in suits [water emoji]) and such good speed SQUEE".

@Angel_rc22 said: "Daaaamn this jive is good. Go Helen!!!" @buttonidiots said: "HELEN WAS INCREDIBLE IM SO ANNOYED ABT THE TINY MISTAKE".

@Sally33903769 said: "Helen for the final". @colinb13 said: "Helen’s jive. One of THE very best we have seen on the show. Lots of lovely touches. Light. Slick. Stylish. Loved it". And @luvfionaapple said: "helen skelton WOW. SENSATIONAL. that was ace. the song held them back 100% and it could’ve been a 10 if they’d have had a better song tbh. still adored it mind 9/10".

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