'Strictly' winner's wife blasts judges

Tom Chambers's wife has claimed that the actor was treated too harshly on Strictly Come Dancing.

The former Holby City star was victorious on the BBC One ballroom show last month, but his partner Clare believes that he did not receive the support he deserved from the panel until the final.

"I feel the judges have been fairly harsh on Tom all series," she told the Daily Mail. "The quickstep deserved 10s and when Craig [Revel Horwood] gave him a seven for his fabulous waltz, I wanted to go over, live on TV, and give him a slap!

"If anything, it made people warm to Tom even more. But because of how they were, it makes it all the more thrilling that all four judges were blown away by his show dance in the final."

Clare has also accused head judge Len Goodman of trying to create animosity between her husband and his rival contestant Austin Healey.

"After Tom and Austin's jives, Len had told Tom he was right up there with Austin flying the flag for the boys," she explained. "It was like he was trying to create rivalry. But they remained really good buddies."

Chambers recently vowed to continue using his new skills as he moves forward with his acting career.