Craig Revel Horwood distracts BBC Strictly viewers as he debuts striking look: 'Think it actually suits!'
BBC Strictly: Craig Revel Horwood debuted a bearded look during the 2024 launch
BBC
Craig Revel Horwood had Strictly Come Dancing fans gobsmacked just moments into Saturday's launch show as he debuted a striking new look.
The typically clean-shaven 59-year-old decided he'd take to the judging panel this time around sporting a slick new beard.
And the change in appearance didn't go unnoticed the moment he and his fellow judges took their seats.
Tess Daly turned her attention straight onto Revel Horwood after he sat down with Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas.
Daly made her feelings on the new look clear, saying she was "loving" the change in style, which prompted raucous applause from the studio audience.
Strictly fans at home were similarly on board with the image overhaul, with one typing on X: "I think Craig actually suits the beard. I'm probably gonna keep getting him and Rylan mixed up though #Strictly."
BBC Strictly: Craig Revel Horwood sparked quite the reaction with his new look
BBC
A second echoed: "Craig looks better/amazing with a beard. I’m biased #Strictly."
"Craig really suits his beard! So looking forward to the new season of #Strictly," a third excited fan weighed in.
Before a fourth concurred: "Craig with a new look this year. I'm liking the beard on him. #Strictly."
And the compliments kept on coming from a fifth: "Loving Craig with a beard! He reminds me of a top Hollywood star. Very professional! #Strictly."
BBC Strictly: Craig Revel Horwood joined his fellow judges on the launch show
BBC
However, some took the change in appearance to poke fun at the misconduct saga that has engulfed the series over the past year.
One fan sarcastically typed: "Craig growing a Giovanni style beard does not make up for the loss of Giovanni #Strictly." (sic)
They were, of course, referring to the ongoing investigation into the conduct of the dancers on the show following complaints raised by Amanda Abbington.
And while Revel Horwood's look got fans talking, so did Daly and Claudia Winkleman's decision to avoid mentioning said investigation.
Instead, Daly opened up the 2024 series by announcing to applause: "Welcome to the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2024!
"This series we celebrate 20 years on your TV screens and if that opening is anything to go by, we are in for quite a ride."
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Winkleman then weighed in: "Absolutely. Huge thanks to our professional dancers.
"Plus he's been ignoring my calls for the last nine months, but tonight he has to hang out with me. It's Dave Arch, his amazing band and fantastic live singers."
Soon after, BBC viewers were introduced to the celebrity contestants of the 2024 series and got to see who they'd been paired with.
However, there was more controversy just hours before the launch as the full list of pairings was leaked online.