It's all gone a Whittle crazy!

Strictly judge Craig gives verdict after Ricky's night in cells

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Ricky Whittle reveals he danced through agony

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29/11/2009

STRICTLY judge Craig Revel Horwood has warned show favourite Ricky Whittle that his hokey-cokey is not all that okey-dokey after spending the night in the pokey.

Ricky, 28, was back dancing the Charleston yesterday on the BBC1 show after spending much of Friday in police custody on suspicion of assault in Liverpool. After being released on bail, the Hollyoaks actor rushed back to London for 11th hour dance preparations with partner Natalie Lowe, 29.

But Craig, 44, reckons that Ricky missing a vital rehearsal on Friday has knocked his chances of winning the show badly out of step.

The acid-tongued judge said: "I couldn't believe it. He's lost valuable time - unless Natalie was dancing with him inside his cell!"

Bookies suspended betting on Friday following the alleged incident - and the ankle injury suffered by Ali Bastian, 26.

Despite being on crutches all week, she struggled through the pain barrier as she also took on the the charleston for yesterday's show.

Craig added: "What else can Strictly churn out this year? Injuries, people getting off with one another? It's quite mad."

The Aussie also hinted at a possible comeback for axed judge Arlene Phillips, 66, who was replaced by former champ Alesha Dixon.

He said: "I think there's room to get Arlene back and have five judges."

Your comments

This article has 7 comments

Oh dear oh dear, some of you have short memories. It was this time last year lovely Arlene was mean, cruel, nasty, hurtful, spiteful over the John Sargent gate sarga. How many of you above wanted Arlene to go or be sacked???? Its quite amusing really. Alesha in my humble opinion is fine as a judge on the show. She has got a lot better since the first show. Arlene was tremendous on the show and is missed. Perhaps as Craig says we could have five judges. Anyway do you need to be an expert on dance. Over on Factor Cheryl Cole is hardly an expert on singing??

By CharmingJohnBoy.. Posted November 29 2009 at 7:49 PM.

Aleesha may have won strictly but that does not make her an expert, she needs to go and they need to either bring back Arlene or another professional dancer as a judge. I agree Karen Hardy would make an excellent choice.

By Stephanie.. Posted November 29 2009 at 1:30 PM.

Should never have hired Alesha, she's out of her depth especially this week with Rock n Roll and the Charleston - what does she know about these dances that she's never performed? She must have spent hours watching videos trying to up her knowledge which deters from the fact viewers want expert opinion. Bring Arlene BACK!!

By Shannon.. Posted November 29 2009 at 11:05 AM.

Alesha is doing a wonderful job. People leave to do her job please

By collin smith.. Posted November 29 2009 at 10:15 AM.

As well as bringing back Arlene, Karen Hardy would be an excellent replacement for Alesha - she has been excellent discussing choreography on the It Takes Two programme recently. She is already an experienced judge in her own right, as well as having won Strictly with Ramps.

By Jo.. Posted November 29 2009 at 8:58 AM.

Bring back Arlene Phillips or one of the professional dancers as a Judge. Alesha Dixon should keep to what she knows best and that is singing. If you work with a Brain Surgeon for six months or a year, it does not make you a Brain Surgeon.

By Sandy Bowen.. Posted November 29 2009 at 8:40 AM.

I indorse most strongly that Phillips should return to the show, Winning a contest does not automaticly make you an experience judge.
Her presence onthe panel sorly missed.

By Leslie Harvey.. Posted November 29 2009 at 7:28 AM.

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