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Privacy Notice When a new dancing competition featuring celebrities paired with professional dancers first aired on BBC One in May 2004, audiences were introduced to four Strictly Come Dancing judges: wise ballroom legend Len Goodman, bubbly choreographer Arlene Phillips, enthusiastic dancer Bruno Tonioli, and an Australian dancer, theatre director and choreographer named Craig Revel Horwood, soon branded the harshest judgeon the panel. While the judging line-up may have changed over 20 years, Craig’s strong but fair criticisms of the dancing couples have remained a constant on the show, with celebrity participants always looking especially pleased when they receive his praise for their moves, and desperately disappointed when they don’t.
Claudia says Strictly is like Christmas
It’s a role that Craig has embraced from the start of the series. “The first words out of my mouth were ‘Dull, dull, dull’, and everyone booed me. Then, suddenly, that was me branded,” he said. “I never tried to be that, I was just being honest about what I was seeing, but there’s not a lot of time in television to do all the niceties along with it. Plus, that’s not my job as a judge. I have to tell it as I see it.” Craig’s deadpan insults and hard-earned compliments are often memorable, such as when he told Kimberley Walsh during 2012’s final that her dance to Beyoncé’s Crazy In Love was “indecent, improper, absolute filth… and I loved it”, or when he described TV presenter Jeremy Vine’s jive as “like watching a stork that had been struck by lightning”. But while his screen persona may be that of someone who is tough and hard to please, those who know Craig personally say he’s a different person off camera, with fellow judge Motsi Mabuse revealing that the pair are pals, and share a glass of wine before each show. “Off camera, Craig is adorable. He is the sweetest,” she said. “He’s been doing the show for 20 years or whatever… and I’ve never heard Craig complain one tiny little bit. He’s sweet.”
Motsi and Craig are judges on the show
Strictly host Claudia Winkleman agrees: “Strictly Come Dancing is basically Christmas. It’s all about sparkle and kindness. It’s a snowglobe of a show. Even the make-believe baddie isn’t really evil. He’ll hate me for saying so, but Craig Revel Horwood might be one of the loveliest men I’ve ever met.” The 59-year-old also showed his softer side when he appeared on genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are? In 2017. He travelled to his home town of Ballarat, in south-eastern Australia, and discovered that his great-great grandfather was a man named Moses Horwood, an English criminal who had been transported to Australia for petty theft in 1841. He also discovered that another relative, Elizabeth Tinworth, spent more than a month in hospital there – after possibly suffering a miscarriage – while her husband, who had moved to the town after the discovery of gold in the area, was forced to file for bankruptcy in 1865.
Craig Revel Horwood is also a theatre director
“You think of people striking it lucky and everyone celebrating,” said a visibly moved Craig. “But you forget the hardships they actually went through.” His journey also revealed a family connection to Craig’s first love: dance. He found out that his great-great grandfather Harry was a clog dancer who won medals for his dancing style, a story that made the Strictly judge smile. “[Growing up] I wanted to follow my heart, my passion, my dreams of dancing, and it’s just amazing to know that it actually runs in the family,” he said on the show. “It really has put a new twist on who I think I am.”
Claudia hosts the show alongside Tess Daly
(Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
Craig has spoken often about his own upbringing, and has written three autobiographies – entitled All Balls And Glitter: My Life , Tales From The Dance Floor and In Strictest Confidence . He is open about his early life with his father who was an alcoholic, and his marriage to Jane Horwood in 1990, which lasted for two years. “I was bisexual for a long time. I flitted between men and women quite a lot between the ages of 17 and 26. My wife Jane left me for another man. Then I fell in love with a bloke. I have been gay ever since.” Since 2018, Craig has been in a relationship with horticulturist Jonathan Myring, whom he met on Tinder. The pair announced their engagement in 2020 while in Tasmania, and plan to marry in 2025. The couple live in the village of King’s Cliffe in Northamptonshire, in a seven-bedroom 19th-Century home, complete with a swimming pool and a cellar that holds 2,000 bottles of wine. “I love the local area and the history of it,” he said. “It is relaxing. Living here feels like a holiday.”
The cast of Strictly Come Dancing 2024
(Image: PA)
With his packed schedule working on Strictly Come Dancing as well as numerous other projects, Craig isn’t at home much, though he shows no signs of slowing down. In recent years, he has played Miss Hannigan in a touring production of Annie and the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard Of Oz , appeared in pantomimes at Christmas, and even choreographed the memorable Hugh Grant dance number that takes place in prison at the end of Paddington 2. If that wasn’t enough, Craig also recently announced that he has recorded an album called Revelations: Songs Boys Don’t Sing, that will be released in October. He describes it as “a perfect blend of drama, pathos, romance and a touch of high camp”. He added: “Throughout my musical journey, I’ve had the privilege of performing as both a dancer and a singer in numerous musicals. However, this album holds a special place in my heart, as I’ve had the opportunity to select songs that truly resonate with me.
Claudia says Craig is really a nice person
“Each track is traditionally associated with female singers, which presented a delightful challenge. I embraced this opportunity to record these songs, knowing it might be my only chance to give them my own interpretation.” Craig will be taking his music out on tour in 2025, but first there is the new 20th-anniversary series of Strictly Come Dancing to film, and it’s something he’s immensely proud to be a part of. “I love Strictly , because it is waving the flag for dance,” he said. “That is the thing that has impassioned me my whole life and has led me to this wonderful world that I am now reaping the benefits from.”
Celebrating 20 years of Strictly Come Dancing
In this special commemorative edition of OK!, we celebrate two glorious decades of one of the nation’s favourite TV shows As the new series kicks off, we look back at the winners who have danced their way to the top of Britain’s sparkliest dance competition and remember the iconic performances that have provided moments of joy, tears and laughter We also pay tribute to Strictly’s hosts, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, the hard-working professional dancers and, of course, legendary judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton du Beke Click here to purchase your edition for £9.99.
Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnArlene PhillipsBruno TonioliClaudia WinklemanCraig Revel HorwoodHugh GrantKimberley WalshLen GoodmanStrictly Come DancingChristmas
