Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 2 hrs ago
John Nellis defends laid-back Cha Cha after Strictly judge’s criticism
John Nellis defended his Cha Cha on Strictly Come Dancing after judge Craig Revel Horwood criticised it.
Nellis, a 33-year-old social media creator from Northern Ireland, danced with professional partner Katya Jones to Justin Timberlake’s “Rock Your Body” on October 10.
The pair scored 20 points, including four from Craig, who said the routine lacked energy and a “wow factor.”
Nellis said the laid-back style was intentional and suited the song, though he accepted he could make future dances more energetic.
Craig praised Nellis’s footwork in the New York step, while head judge Shirley Ballas also challenged Craig’s reaction.
Nellis and Jones survived the latest elimination and will perform a Paso Doble to Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life” during Icons Week on October 17.
John Nellis defended the deliberately relaxed Cha Cha he performed with Katya Jones after judge Craig Revel Horwood criticized its energy and impact.
Nellis said the style was intended to match Justin Timberlake’s Rock Your Body and that he took Craig’s criticism as a backhanded compliment.
Craig said the dance was too laid-back and lacked a “wow factor,” but praised Nellis’s New York step.
The pair received 20 points, including four from Craig, and remained in the competition after the latest elimination.
They are scheduled to perform a Paso Doble to Bon Jovi’s It’s My Life during Icons Week.
- Who
- John Nellis and professional partner Katya Jones, and judge Craig Revel Horwood.
- What
- Nellis defended the relaxed style of their Cha Cha after Craig criticized its energy and impact.
- When
- The Cha Cha was performed on October 10, 2026; Nellis responded on It Takes Two on October 13.
- Where
- On Strictly Come Dancing and its BBC spin-off It Takes Two.
- Why
- Nellis said the laid-back approach was intentional and suited the Justin Timberlake song.
John Nellis
Craig Revel Horwood
Performance style
John Nellis
Nellis said the relaxed approach was deliberate and intended to be cool.
Craig Revel Horwood
Craig felt the dance was too cool and laid-back, with too little happening.
Overall impact
John Nellis
Nellis pointed to the lift and defended the routine’s concept.
Craig Revel Horwood
Craig said it lacked energy and a “wow factor” and was dull for his liking.
Nellis made his live-show debut with a Foxtrot.
Nellis and Jones performed a Cha Cha to Justin Timberlake’s Rock Your Body and received 20 points.
Nellis discussed Craig’s criticism on It Takes Two and defended the routine’s relaxed style.
Nellis and Jones are scheduled to perform a Paso Doble to It’s My Life during Icons Week.
- Cha Cha score
- 20 points
- Craig Revel Horwood’s score
- 4 points
- Song for the Cha Cha
- Rock Your Body by Justin Timberlake
- Next scheduled dance
- Paso Doble to It’s My Life by Bon Jovi
- Upcoming event
- Icons Week on October 17
3 sources
What people are saying
I don't know if Craig missed it, but the whole point of that was being cool.
It's Justin Timberlake, late 2000s. I actually took it as a backhanded compliment. I was meant to be cool, truthfully, so it is what it is.
I thought, to be honest, it was too cool, too laidback and not much was happening. There was no wow factor; it was just a bit dull for my liking.
But I have to say, when I saw you do the New York step, it was impressive. Your foot was absolutely toe down in place beautifully, so I can see that you're working.