Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has apologised for making a "hurtful" and "cruel" comment about Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton.
Strictly's 2018 winner Stacey and pro dancer Kevin started dating earlier this year after they were paired up during last year's series and the couple will return to the dancefloor to perform Stacey's favourite dance for the 2019 launch show.
However, during filming for the show on Friday (August 30), The Sun reports that Craig made a comment about how 'sleeping with your dance partner' can help you win, and the judge has now apologised for his "huge error in judgement".
"I'm deeply sorry for the offence caused to Kevin and Stacey and everyone who works on the show," he told the publication in a statement.
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"I recognise that what I said was hurtful, cruel and incredibly disrespectful. It was a huge error of judgement that I very much regret."
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Meanwhile, Stacey stopped by BBC Radio 2 yesterday (August 31) and talked about how "brilliant" everything between her and Kevin is.
"It's brilliant, Kevin is amazing and he's so busy – and we danced together last night, so it was the pre-recorded Strictly," she said.
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As for her advice for this year's line-up, Stacey said that all the celebrities should just "go for it", adding: "I feel like if you're going to do it – go for it. And actually it is one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done. Total escapism.
"But also, you know, you're dancing with some of the best dancers in the world and learning – or trying to learn – how to dance. What a treat!"
Strictly Come Dancing is back on Saturday, September 7, airing on BBC One.
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