Entertainment
Strictly Come Dancing 2021: Craig Revel Horwood in ‘row’ with BBC over ‘fab-u-lous’ Dreams advert
Craig’s ‘fab-u-lous’ catchphrase is unmistakable (Picture: BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood is said to have become embroiled in a row with the BBC after starring in a Dreams advert which featured his signature catchphrase.
Craig, who starred on the BBC programme since the very first series in 2004, is known for being one of the most tricky judges to please.
However, when he is impressed with a dance, he often describes it as ‘fab-u-lous’, with his pronunciation of the word becoming synonymous both with him and the show.
The choreographer recently starred in an advertising campaign for Dreams, with the bed retailer sharing a picture of him on Instagram with the caption: ‘Log’s made a new fab-u-lous friend. Can you guess who it is?’
According to The Mirror, the inclusion of ‘fab-u-lous’ in the caption breached the BBC’s editorial guidelines, as stars who work with the broadcaster should not ‘mimic or replicate their on-air roles’, which ‘includes any iconic Strictly phrases being used for commercial associations’.
Dreams has since removed the phrase ‘fab-u-lous’ from the social media post.
The social media post was quickly edited (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
In the campaign for the company, Craig critiques ‘dance-inspired’ sleeping positions, such as one that takes after the Tango and another that’s inspired by the Charleston.
A spokesperson for Craig explained that other aspects of the advertising campaign related work that he does outside of the BBC show, stating: ‘Craig is a professional dancer and choreographer and has been, long before his involvement in Strictly.
‘He was asked to create these sleep positions for the campaign due to his profession and expertise as a choreographer and dance creator, a role he doesn’t have on Strictly.
‘The dances identified are common dance terms and not unique or exclusive to Strictly.’
A BBC employee who doesn’t work on Strictly reportedly commented on the controversy to The Mirror, saying: ‘It appears on the face of it to be clearly mimicking his on-air Strictly role, in that he is offering advice as to how specific dances should be performed… just as he would be to any contestant appearing on the show.’
More: Strictly Come Dancing
DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles was absent from this year’s Children In Need special after he starred in a Shreddies advert playing the role of a builder, in a move that was at risk of violating the BBC’s rules.
Nick and the BBC managed to resolve the issue, with the presenter unable to return to the show until 2022.
Strictly Come Dancing returns tonight at 6.40pm on BBC One.
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