Bruno Tonioli hits back at Craig Revel Horwood after fellow Strictly judge labelled him 'attention seeker' ahead of semi-finals

'He's jealous I'm more popular than him'

Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood (Getty Images)

Strictly Come Dancing's Bruno Tonioli responded to fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood labelling him an “attention seeker”.

Revel Horwood, 53, was reported to have criticised his colleague while on his book tour.

He also criticised host Tess Daly, saying she asked “dull” questions, and head judge Shirley Ballas, saying her breasts were “hanging out” at her audition.

Tonioli, 63, told The Sun after being asked about Revel Horwood: “There's more than a hint of bitterness there.

“He's trying to create some attention for himself. He's jealous I'm more popular than him.”

Of being called “tight” by his fellow judge, Tonioli said: “I bought a meal for him and his boyfriend at The Ivy and he must have drunk 20 bottles of rose.”

The Italian judge also defended Ballas, quipping ahead of the Strictly semi-finals: “Craig would love to have boobs like Shirley. She has a beautiful body.”

She has previously told how she received “a sincere apology” from Revel Horwood following the remarks.

The Strictly semi-final features Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton, Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell, Ashley Roberts and Pasha Kovalev, Lauren Steadman and AJ Pritchard, and Faye Tozer and Giovanni Pernice on the BBC One show. You can follow along with the show here.