ONE of Strictly Come Dancing’s top judges has backed Westcliff’s Maisie Smith to bounce back on Saturday.

Maisie, a former Chalkwell Junior School pupil who has become a household name by playing Tiffany Dean in Eastenders, found herself in the dance-off alongside professional dance partner Gorka Márquez last weekend.

However, the 19-year-old advanced in the competition at the expense of singer Max George.

Craig Revel Horwood, a judge since Strictly’s inception in 2004, hopes Maisie will use her experience in the dance-off as a boost to go further.

Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine, he said: “I think Maisie is fantastic. She has fantastic technique and great hip action.

“Sometimes being in the dance-off makes you a little bit stronger and makes you fight a little bit more.”