Craig Revel Horwood isn't one to hold back on his thoughts as his latest swipe proves.
Ahead of returning to the Strictly Come Dancing panel next month, Craig discussed how dancing standards have improved over the years and also shared his opinion on this year's celebrity line-up.
While doing so, the 59-year-old couldn't resist taking a swipe at series one champion Natasha Kaplinsky, who lifted the Glitterball trophy with Brendan Cole back in 2004.
Reflecting on the show's 20 years, Craig, 59, said the winning dancing duo wouldn't stand a chance at winning the show these days with the dancing they did back then, as the standards are now much higher.
He shared: "I have softened over the years because the standard has gone up. If you think back to the people that won it, like Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole, I mean, that wasn't good! That wouldn't wash now."
The show's longest-standing judge believes series two winner Jill Halfpenny is the celebrity who set the bar for others.
It was the actress' Jive that prompted Craig to get out his 10 panel for the first time after she "nailed" the routine and went on to win the show.
"Jill Halfpenny in year two sort of nailed it and that was my first 10," he added to Best Magazine. "I never [gave] any 10s out in year one. Jill's jive pushed the standard and then the following series, it all hit another level."
Craig will be back on the show next month, alongside head judge Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
Together, they will critique 15 new celebrities hoping to get their hands on the Glitterball trophy.
Those set to showcase their moves include; singer Toyah Willcox, JLS star JB Gill, TOWIE's Pete Wicks, Arsenal legend Paul Merson, Love Island's Tasha Ghouri and comedian Chris McCausland.
Sharing his pre-judgement, Craig believes JB "will have some good moves" due to his many years on stage in a boyband. He went on to say: "I love Toyah Wilcox, she's fabulous. I'm glad she's in.
"And, it's fantastic having Chris McCausland too. They've done that in America, having a blind contestant, and that's a really good call."
Latest odds from Betway suggest that Tasha is the current favourite to win the upcoming series.
Chad Yeomans stated: "Strictly this year promises to bring all the glitz and glam as it marks its 20th anniversary as one of the nation's favourite television shows. As a dazzling line-up of celebs, comedians, and Olympic athletes sweat it out for the coveted Glitterball Trophy, Tasha Ghouri is already a clear favourite to take home the prize following her success making it to the final of Love Island in 2022.
"Now a Celebrity MasterChef champion, could underdog Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans win people's hearts as he takes to the dancefloor, or will Jamie Borthwick steal the spotlight and quickstep his way back into the final? It'll all be to dance for when the show gets underway!".
