STRICTLY’S Craig Revel Horwood has come out fighting for under-fire pro Giovanni Pernice.
Celeb contestant Amanda Abbington says clashes with Gio left her traumatised.
But Craig, 59, waltzed into the row by saying the dancers are the “backbone of the show”.
The judge declared: “The pros not only have to be creative and be able to be good choreographers, they also have to be psychiatrists, doctors, they have to be nurses, they have to be welfare guidance people.
"It’s not just teaching dance.”
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Amanda, 51, has requested footage of her rehearsals after claiming clashes with the Sicilian left her with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The BBC has backed Gio, 33, after she quit for “medical reasons”.
The Sherlock actress is said to be seeking legal advice.
Craig spoke as he launched Strictly’s Live Tour, beginning tonight in Birmingham.
He appears with fellow judges plus celebs from the 2023 series.
- For venue and ticket information, see StrictlyComeDancingLive.com
Bobby is tour gold
EASTENDERS star Bobby Brazier and pro dance partner Dianne Buswell go for gold ahead of Strictly’s Live Tour.
The pair, who made it to the final of the BBC hit in December, grinned as they prepared for tonight’s first performance in Birmingham.
Angela Rippon, 79, will also grace the floor with her partner Kai Widdrington.
Other stars on the 30-date tour include show winner Ellie Leach, Layton Williams, Annabel Croft, Angela Scanlon and Krishnan Guru-Murthy.
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