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Judi James & Sophie Finnegan

Strictly's Craig leaves Tess Daly 'fuming' over brutal comment, body language expert claims

Strictly host Tess Daly was fuming over a brutal comment Craig Revel Horwood made to a contestant, a body language expert has claimed.

Usually known for her calm and happy persona on the hit BBC show, Tess was apparently unimpressed with Craig. Body language expert Judi James told the Mirror there was discernible tension between her and notoriously miserable judge Craig.

During Saturday night's Movie Week show, Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal danced the rumba to the theme tune from Jurassic Park - but only scored 25. And during their feedback, while some judges gave constructive criticism Tess wasn't impressed with Craig's comments.

Read more: Strictly viewers ‘gutted’ as leaked dance-off spoiler reveals ‘outrageous’ exit

Judi told the Mirror said: "It was a body language bloodbath this week for two of the show’s most popular contestants. Everyone loves Hamza and when Craig called his routine ‘dull’ there was a genuine tumbleweed moment that suggested Tess really was fuming.

"Tess has spoken out against the judges before but this time she looked and sounded genuinely annoyed, creating a toe-curling pause where it seemed no-one knew what to say or do, which is a rare event on a slick show like Strictly.

"Tess rubbed her chin in a gesture of negative evaluation while glaring straight at the camera with her head dipped in anger.

Craig brutally critiqued Hamza and Jovita (BBC)

"Her ‘death stare’ at Craig looked like a diminishing ritual aimed at making him feel small and after saying ‘That’s a bit harsh Craig’ she clasped her hands and rubbed them together as though wanting to dismiss him. The mood in the entire studio seemed to dip, prompting Anton to say ‘It was all going so well up to that point.’

"Tess adopted a schoolmistress tone as she said the classic line ‘On that note…thank you judges’ with no congruence between her thanks and her facial expression and annoyed tone."

It comes after fans suggested that Hamza had been "sabotaged" over his music choice.

"Pure sabotage. A freaking Rhumba to Jurassic Park on week 3. I’m unnecessarily angry. Poor Hamza. @bbcstrictly #Strictly," one fan wrote, as another added: "Why was Hamza stitched up with a rumba in week 3 to a bizarre song choice? Do they hate him?"

A third shared: "Really @bbcstrictly #Strictly, a Rumba to the theme of Jurassic Park? And the costume?! Give Hamza a fighting chance, please… we need him in for a long time!" as a fourth penned: " #Strictly blimey...they stitched #Hamza up this week. I will give him all three votes to make up for that requirement to rumba to Jurassic bloody Park."

"My man Hamza is doing very well but who was on drugs and what drugs were they when they said “Let’s have him Rumba to the Jurassic Park theme”, they did my man dirty with that one #Strictly," another fumed.

*Strictly airs tonight at 7.20pm on BBC One

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