BBC Strictly's Craig Revel Horwood takes awkward surgery swipe at co-star

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood took a swipe at his co-star Anton Du Beke on Saturday night's show

Strictly Come Dancing turned awkward on Saturday night as judge Craig Revel Horwood took a dig at fellow judge Anton Du Beke.

During the latest episode, feedback was given to Shayne Ward and his professional partner Nancy Xu following their American Smooth routine to Sam Smith's Get Here.

Earlier in the week, Shayne celebrated his 40th birthday, a milestone acknowledged on the show by Anton, 58, who quipped: "Well it's lovely to see another 40-year-old in the building!" prompting laughter from the audience.

Anton then responded: "Alright, it's not that funny! Now I think that was lovely, that was a super dance, there was a lot about that", praising the pair's lifts.

However, he also offered some constructive criticism, advising: "I want you to keep that focus of being together even when you're not together as there's a lot to like, keep going!", suggesting Shayne looked "lost" after moving to one side of the stage before rejoining Nancy - a point Shayne countered by saying it was part of the dance.

Craig, however, disagreed with Anton's feedback, retorting: "I totally got the bust up and then the back together. I thought that was very clear, so Anton you need to maybe look at your own relationships and what you've been through potentially..."

To which Anton fired back: "I have to be honest with you, you're much older than I am! I'm 40, I didn't recognise it, maybe it's an older man's thing."

Craig didn't hold back as he then replied: "You should tell your surgeon darling. It's not working out for you!" which prompted a reaction from the audience.

In another moment, Craig couldn't resist another swipe at Anton, remarking: "Anton, darling, Anton, are you going to be standing up anymore? It's getting really on my nerves! I'm just saying!", reports the Mirror.

It comes after DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles became the third contestant to leave Strictly after a nail-biting dance off against former Coronation Street actor Shayne Ward last weekend.

Nick, 62, and his professional dance parter Luba Mushtuk received 21 points out of 40 from the judges for their Charleston to Rain On The Roof from the film Paddington 2 and was second from the bottom of the leaderboard last weekend.

When asked by host Tess Daly about his time on the show, Nick said at the time: "I've really, really been surprised by how much I've loved doing it and by two things that happen.

"One is how much you care each week, and the other is how much you don’t want to let down your partner. The only reason I could do this is simply because of Luba’s changes, she's been amazing. There are some amazing dancers up there, and I will love watching the rest of the series."

A tearful Luba added: "I’ve never met someone as determined as you, and I remember you saying that if you do your best, you’ll be very happy. I think you did more than your best. Thank you."

Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturdays and Sundays on BBC One and BBC iPlayer