Strictly Craig Revel Horwood shocks viewers as he fights back tears and reads out emotional poem for Chris and Dianne

STRICTLY Come Dancing fans have been left stunned as the meanest judge on the panel was softened in the Strictly final, and moved to almost tears.

Judge Craig Revel Horwood is known for his harsh critic and even harsher marking, yet the Strictly Come Dancing finale appeared to move him to almost crying live on air.

As he gave his feedback to comedian Chris McCausland and pro dancer Dianne Buswell, the notoriously strict judge and choreographer was visibly emotional.

Giving his feedback on the couple's final dance to You'll Never Walk Alone, Craig revealed he's had his "eyes opened" after visiting the studio to see McCausland and Buswell practice.

He said: "My eyes were made wide open when i came to join you in the studio, and I loved every second of it."

He then took things a step further as he read out a Christmas card to the comedian, describing him as a "light that shines for all to see".

He read out his Christmas card, filled with some jokes before later coming out from his seat to come and hug the couple.

Viewers at home were left surprised by Craig's actions, as he's typically more stern faced and hard to please.

Writing on social media, one viewer wrote: "Ugly crying at Chris and Dianne. What an amazing, inspiring partnership this has been. The room and the reaction to their final dance says it all. Craig’s poem was beautiful also."

Another shared: "Chris' last dance. I am sobbing. Dianne was crying before it even started! Craig's poem just topped it off.

"I'm so happy that the stingiest judge on earth, knows it's not just about the scores."

"I never thought Craig would show his soft side on Strictly. Chris certainly brought it out of him tonight," said a third.

A fourth added: "That poem was possibly the nicest thing I’ve ever seen Craig do on Strictly. No matter his scores for Chris, that is the kindest moment I’ve ever seen."

The judge's comments come as Chris and Dianne were also left in tears after their final performance of the night.

Reflecting on their Strictly journey, Chris said: "I shed a tear during the Viennese Waltz last week and I haven't been able to turn the tap off this week.

"It's not taken a lot to get me going. It's just so overwhelming being in the final. Just the messages I've had.

"I'm just really proud of what we've been able to do. If I could have picked any [of the judges] to be with me, it would have been Craig.

"He's been my toughest critic and so there's more to learn from him."

Dianne then added: "There's so much more that is possible. Even I at the beginning thought I didn't know how we could do this. And he said, Di I can do so much more than you think.

"Everyone that may have a disability or an obstacle, you can do so much more than you believe."

Chris, as the show's first ever blind contestant, was also crowned the winner of this year's series with the pair shocked and surprised to be lifting the Glitterball Trophy.