Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood hits back at claims he’s ‘to blame’ for favourite Aston Merrygold’s shock exit

STRICTLY judge Craig Revel Horwood hit back at claims he triggered favourite Aston Merrygold’s shock elimination and blamed the public.

A low panel score, including a four from Craig, plus viewers’ votes put former JLS singer Aston in the bottom two.

Craig then helped axe him by voting for Saturdays singer Mollie King in the dance-off.

Aussie Craig, 52, defended his decision amid an outcry, saying: “We didn’t put him in the bottom two, the audience did.”

And he dismissed claims he deliberately underscored Aston and pro partner Janette Manrara.

He said: “That’s rubbish. I gave a list of what was wrong with it on the night. And Mollie did a better dance in the dance-off.”

Aston’s shock bottom-two placing resulted in an audience member vomiting all over the glitzy studio.

Producers are said to have refused to pay crew over-time to clean it up, leaving others in the audience disgusted.

New head judge Shirley Ballas used her deciding vote to send Aston home after the panel was split.

Aston, 29, has remained dignified but had to defend his pregnant girlfriend for criticising Shirley, who replaced long-serving Len Goodman.

Sarah Richards tweeted #bringbacklen but Aston said: “Sarah was annoyed in the heat of the moment.”