Strictly Come Dancing fans have rushed to support finalist Amber Davies after judge Craig Revel Horwood delivered a controversial score during the show's grand finale on Saturday 20 December 2025.
Controversial Judging in the Final
Davies, a former Love Island winner and West End performer, took to the floor with her professional partner Nikita Kuzmin for their first dance of the night. The couple performed a powerful Paso Doble to Aerosmith's "Dream On," earning high praise from most of the panel.
Judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Motsi Mabuse were all in agreement, each awarding the performance a perfect 10 points. However, Craig Revel Horwood, known for his stricter critiques, broke the pattern by scoring a nine, despite offering positive verbal feedback.
Viewer Backlash on Social Media
The decision sparked an immediate and passionate reaction from viewers watching at home. Many took to X, formerly Twitter, to voice their confusion and defend Davies's performance.
One fan described the scoring as "nonsensical," while another exclaimed: "Craig HAS to be joking…. Amber was incredible." Others questioned the logic, with one posting: "Craig not giving any criticism but still scoring it a 9????" The sentiment was summed up by a viewer who simply wrote: "CRAIG?????? What the hell craig?!?"
Davies's Journey to the Final
The finale saw Davies and Kuzmin compete against fellow finalists George Clarke with Alexis Warr and Karen Carney with Carlos Gu. Each couple performed three times: a Showdance, a favourite routine from the series, and a judges' pick.
While the judges' scores provide guidance, the winner is decided solely by the audience's votes. The episode also marked a significant moment for the show's presenting team, being the final live show for hosting duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman before they step down later this year.
Davies's path to the final has been marked by standout routines, including an Ariana Grande-inspired Cha Cha and a flawless Charleston. However, she has also faced scrutiny throughout the series due to her previous performance experience in the West End.
Addressing the criticism, Davies has consistently stated that her musical theatre training is the "polar opposite" to ballroom and Latin. She emotionally told spin-off show It Takes Two: "I feel like I’ve worked just as hard as the other finalists. I had to fight to get into the final; we are here for entertainment."
The negative comments escalated after she beat fan-favourite Lewis Cope in a quarter-final dance-off, prompting her partner Nikita Kuzmin to make an emotional plea to viewers for support.
