Craig Revel Horwood reflects on the twists and turns in his life in recent years, including celebrating his half-century, moving to a new home, and experiencing the loss of his father. Throughout all the changes, Strictly Come Dancing has remained a constant in his life, witnessing amazing finals and the departure of key players like Len Goodman and Bruce Forsyth. He reflects on his close relationship with Bruce, who passed away in 2017, and the end of an era with his departure.
After Bruce left the show, Claudia Winkleman took over as host, and Craig praises her for making the role her own. He reflects on memorable contestants like Judy Murray and Naga Munchetty, and his honest judging style that sometimes gets misunderstood as being negative. He also addresses the departure of professional dancer Ola Jordan and the public spats with her husband James.
Len Goodman’s departure from Strictly Come Dancing was a sad moment, but Craig reflects on the amazing series that followed with phenomenal celebrity dancers. He recalls the unforgettable moments on the show, including Ed Balls dancing Gangnam Style and Louise Redknapp finding a new lease on life after the show. He shares his friendship with Len and how the show will never be the same without him and his sense of humor.
Craig discusses the speculation surrounding Len’s replacement as head judge for the show and his experience with Shirley Ballas during the screen tests. He praises Shirley’s technical knowledge and straightforward critique. He also addresses the finale of the 2017 series and the win of Joe McFadden, acknowledging the talents of all the finalists. He reflects on Brendan Cole’s departure from the show and offers well wishes for his future endeavors.
As a new series of Strictly Come Dancing begins, Craig expresses his continued love for the show and the opportunities it has brought him. He reflects on his personal growth and the honor of having a wax figure of himself created by Madame Tussauds. Facing his own likeness in wax at a museum was a surreal and memorable moment in his life, highlighting the unexpected journey from his humble beginnings in Australia to his success in the world of show business.
