Anton Du Beke Defends Strictly Judges’ Rules After Foxtrot Dispute

Anton Du Beke has backed the Strictly Come Dancing judges’ insistence that routines should follow the rules of the dance being performed, after a weekend Foxtrot sparked a public disagreement. The dispute followed Lacey Turner and professional partner Vito Coppola’s performance on Saturday’s live show, as the couples competed for a place in the Blackpool special. Craig Revel Horwood criticised the choreography, saying it looked more like an American Smooth than a traditional Foxtrot. He argued that the dance should be performed on the floor and questioned whether the routine included enough Foxtrot. Coppola replied that the rules allowed 70 per cent Foxtrot and 30 per cent open work, and said he had not broken them. Craig returned to the issue on Sunday’s Strictly: Lights Up, where presenter Tyler West asked why he had become particularly strict about the rules. Craig said that when a routine is meant to be a Foxtrot, the judges expect to see that dance rather than a string of lifts and showy elements. He added that their marks would reflect whether the required style had been delivered. The judge also referred to Nikita Kuzmin’s choreography, criticising the use of lifts in routines where the celebrity dancer’s feet might barely touch the floor. Asked whether it was harsh for a celebrity to bear the consequences, Craig replied that it was not. He said Turner had looked great in the open sections, but maintained that the routine contained too little Foxtrot. Motsi Mabuse supported the emphasis on technique, saying that a Foxtrot requires the partners to dance together and that relying on lifts and flashy moves could be easier. She added that judging such routines differently could be unfair to the other couples. The programme’s comments underscored the judges’ view that spectacle should not replace the dance style contestants are asked to perform.