went head to head with judge on Saturday night during the live shows. The 56-year-old football star hit back and suggested that he get on the football pitch and play a game with him.
Kicking off the vibrant performance on the popular show, Paul and professional dancer Karen Hauer put on a theatrical introduction which eased them into the routine. Paul was spotted cooking at a summer BBQ and ended up using a prop drink in his hand.
He quickly got rid of the glass and began the choreography. However, Horwood, 59, branding it a “comedy dance.” Craig said: “Obviously the drinks at the barbecue gave the confidence to do that.
“It was like a comedy dance at a wedding I’m afraid, it was really not good,” he added. Although, Paul hit back and mumbled under his breath saying, “I don’t drink.”
Horwood continued without acknowledgement claiming: “Those shunts were terrible, you were glued to the floor and Karen did everything dancing around you.” However, he did praise him on one element and shared: “I have to commend you on the lifts. The lifts were very good.”
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Strictly’s Paul Merson clashes with Craig Revel Horwood following drinking dig sparking chaos (Image: BBC)
Craig’s comments sparked fury as fans rushed to comment on the gaffe. One said: “Did Craig really just say he thought the drinks at the barbecue gave confidence. Tactless in the extreme.”
A third commented: “Oh gosh not really good of Craig to make a drinks joke to .” Another added: “Well that was a massive faux pas on Craig’s behalf. Clearly doesn’t know Paul is an Alcoholic.”
Merson had a stellar after playing for teams like Arsenal, Aston Villa and Middlesborough.
Today he is mostly recognised for being a pundit for . Yet off the pitch, he has been honest and spoken candidly about his struggle with addiction to alcohol, cocaine and gambling.
Merson appeared on Strictly: It Takes Two, and told host Fleur East: “I have never danced solo, I didn’t get it in the end, when it came to Craig and he said it seemed like Karen was dancing around you and you were just standing there.
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“I thought well that was the whole idea, she is the pro and I will just stand there. If I was doing a football show and I had people like Craig who never kicked a ball in his life [and] three weeks later I had a football match, I am the one who gets on the ball and gives him the ball every now and then, I am not going to give it to him all the time or we are going to get absolutely ripped to shreds and that’s the way I looked at it!”
This week he will be preparing to battle it out with his fellow contestants including the likes of and for Movie Week .
Craig Revel Horwood was slamemd on social media after refercing alcohol to Paul Merson (Image: BBC)
Paul suggested that a horse may be involved and touched upon his previous struggles with gambling and alcoholism.
He added to East, 36: “I am dyslexic so there is not much I can do is there. Now we’re on a horse this time round. I lost all my money gambling, and now we’re sitting on horses. There was a BBQ and I don’t drink anymore, I mean, what’s next?”
Fans picked up on the dig by Horwood and suggested he do his research on celebrities after taking to social media to write their thoughts on , formerly known as Twitter.
continues on BBC1 One and iPlayer on Saturday at 6:25pm.