Craig Revel Horwood is to replace Miranda Hart as Miss Hanningan in ‘Annie’ on London’s West End.
The ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judge will take the reins from the ‘Miranda’ star this September and is thrilled to be portraying the character, which he played in 2015 in Nikolai Foster’s production.
Miranda’s last appearance at the Piccadilly Theatre will be on September 11 and Craig will pick up from the 18 until November 26 with the exception of Saturdays.
The 52-year-old choreographer joked that he will likely end up bringing a taste of the "sassy" and "evil" orphanage owner to the BBC One ballroom and latin show when it returns to screens later this year, but that his fellow judges – Bruno Tonioli, Shirley Ballas and Darcey Bussell – will have something to say about it.
He said: "I am so pleased to be returning to the West End especially to a role I had such a brilliant time performing on tour.
"Miss Hanningan is evil, sassy and fab-u-lous.
"It will be a real challenge for me not to take her man-hungry, wicked ways to the ‘Strictly’ judging panel each Saturday night – though I’m sure my fellow judges will keep me in check! I can’t wait to get started."
Craig signing up to ‘Annie’ comes after he admitted the money he gets from the three-month stint on ‘Strictly’ isn’t as good as people may expect but he does it because it’s "fun."
He explained: "Holding up paddles from one to 10 is not a career – it’s a light-hearted entertainment TV show. If I didn’t have a creative outlet, I’d be suicidal. ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ is Saturday night fun. The pay’s not amazing. The majority of the money comes from directing and royalties. Someone once did an expose of what the judges earned, and it was below the poverty line."
Craig Revel Horwood replacing Miranda Hart in Annie
