Craig Revel Horwood has been told the new ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judge is "someone that can actually dance" – but he doesn’t know their identity.
The 54-year-old star was left "shocked" when he found out that Dame Darcey Bussell was quitting the BBC ballroom competition and admits he will miss his pal on the judging panel.
Craig has been given a clue as to who will be joining him and fellow judges Bruno Tonioli and Shirley Ballas on the next series but bosses won’t share the person’s identity to him as he can’t be trusted to keep a secret.
In an interview on ITV daytime show ‘This Morning’ on Monday (28.05.18), he said: "They did say it’s someone that can actually dance, it’s got to be someone opinionated."
When co-host and former ‘Strictly’ contestant Ruth Langsford asked if her former professional partner Anton du Beke could be in the frame, Craig replied: "Anton would be great, any of the ex-dancers would be great. But they won’t tell me, apparently I can’t be trusted!"
Speaking about how much he will miss sitting next to Darcey, 50, on the show, he added: "I was shocked, because I didn’t know that was going to happen. I had an inkling from the tour. She’s one of my best mates."
Although Craig was happy to back ‘Strictly’ stalwart Anton to be a judge he thinks former pro James Jordan has no chance of making a comeback on the panel, as opposed to the ballroom floor.
When ‘This Morning’ co-host Eamonn Holmes enquired as to whether James – who had a number rows on the series before quitting in 2013 – could be in the running, Craig witheringly replied: "That’s unlikely, darling!"
When it was put to Craig by Eamonn – who is married to Ruth – that James may be more entertaining than him, the long-time judge simply shook his head.
During his interview, Craig did spill one change to the ‘Strictly’ format this year, revealing that all the judges will be required to dance with the contestants and be scored by their peers one week.
The idea comes from ‘Dancing with the Stars’ in the US and Australia – the latter on which Craig has acted as a judge.
He said: "This year is going to be very interesting, they’re taking a leaf out of the Australian version, ‘Dancing with the Stars’, the judges will be dancing. We’ll be dancing with the contestants. I did it in Australia, I did it with Courtney Act and I loved it, being able to choreograph a routine and then be judged. It was such great fun. As everyone knows I’m up for absolutely anything."
Craig Revel Horwood told new Strictly judge is ‘someone that can dance’
