But celebrity dancer Denise Scott wasn't taking the choreographers' cruel criticism lying down.
After Horwood slammed her posture and likened the performance to "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", the 63-year-old comedian clapped back with a brilliant response.
"You try having these sized breasts and getting your leg up!" Scott retorted.
Viewers swiftly took to social media to share messages of support for the actress, with one tweeting: "If anyone was gonna talk back to Craig, we knew it was gonna be Denise."
"Yes clap BACK Denise! Calling her a hunchback was rude af - where did they pull this nasty judge from?" a Twitter user wrote.
"Imagine being related to Denise Scott. I'm genuinely so jealous," another joked.
Others deemed her "a legend" and "funny as hell".
Judge Sharna Burgess had a different take on the funny woman's performance, praising her age-defying energy and describing her as "the ultimate seductress".
Tristan MacManus also had kind words for Scott, commending her on-floor chemistry with professional partner Jeremy.
Horwood's straight talking persona has already incurred the wrath of DWTS fans, with many calling for him to be replaced after the first episode.
"Dancing With The Stars, please get rid of Craig Revel Horwood - he is rude and downright insulting. If you don't remove him, people will turn off," one person tweeted.
His nasty comments about celebrity contestant Cassandra Thorburn drew boos from the studio audience after the theatre director remarked: "It was all going well until you started to dance."
