A Strictly Come Dancing judge has vowed to continue his time on the show, despite the major shake-ups it is undergoing. The beloved BBC competition is returning without Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly for the first time since Claudia took over from Bruce Forsyth in 2014, as Emma Willis, Josh Widdecombe and Johannes Radebe are now stepping into their roles.

Meanwhile, five new professional dancers have been announced, following the likes of Gorka Marquez and Karen Hauer’s exits in a reported ‘bloodbath’. The celebrities taking part have begun to be unveiled, with Lacey Turner, Delta Goodrem and Dani Dyer joining the line-up, as the Strictly countdown is on.

Amid all the changes, judge Craig Revel Horwood has vowed he has no plans to go anywhere.

Speaking at the unveiling of a tribute sculpture of late Strictly judge Len Goodman at the Goodman Dance Academy, Craig told The Mirror: “They’ll have to drag me by whatever hair I have left, kicking and screaming, I love it, it’s become a big part of my life now. It’s the best Saturday job ever.”

He also paid an emotional tribute to Goodman, following his death in 2023 at the age of 78, reports Wales Online.

The former head judge, who judged Strictly from its launch in 2004 until 2016, died after suffering from bone cancer.

Craig shared: “I miss him from the bottom of my heart. Whenever I hear the Strictly theme music, I always think of Len Goodman and Bruce Forsyth.

“Because Len created Strictly. Without Len, I don’t think the show would have survived. He was a master at his craft. He was a comedian.”

Craig’s vow to remain on the show comes after one former Strictly star urged for a shake-up within the judging panel.

Pro dancer James Jordan, who appeared on the show between 2006 and 2013, previously told The Mirror: “Shake them up, get rid of some of them.” He went on: “You need to get rid of at least two of them to shake it up a bit.”

Hinting at himself as a possible replacement, he added: “Maybe get someone on there that’s quite honest and outspoken, and not afraid to say the truth for fear of offending the ‘woke minority’ that write in and say, ‘You can’t say that’, but at the end of the day, it’s a dance competition and you’re being judged.

“I used to prefer it when they were a bit more honest and not saying something and then going, ‘But I love you and I think you’re doing an amazing job’. It’s ok to say, ‘Actually I didn’t enjoy this dance, I didn’t feel your technique was correct, you’re doing heel leads instead of being on the toe, your posture needs work,’ what’s wrong with saying that?”

He added: “I feel we need to bring back that. You don’t need to be mean, you don’t need to be horrible or get personal, but I think it needs a bit of honesty on the panel.”