Craig Revel Horwood heartbreakingly opens up about feeling like an ‘outcast’ during younger years: ‘I was a social misfit’-Meghna Amin-Entertainment – Metro

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood may be known for his tough exterior and harsh comments on the show, but, he suffered from being a ‘social misfit’ during his younger years.

Craig, 57, has been a part of the Strictly judging panel from the very beginning in 2004, alongside Len Goodman, Arlene Phillips, and Bruno Tonioli.

Before that, he directed, choreographed and produced West End shows and even had an alter-ego: Lavish.

Appearing on It Takes Two, Craig opened up about how he first started dancing as a young boy in Ballarat, Australia, and how his passion for dance meant that he didn’t fit in.

‘I just did not fit in at all,’ he explained. ‘I didn’t like sport at school, in fact I hated it, and a kid in Australia that doesn’t like sport is a social misfit and outcast. That’s why I went to the dance classes.’

Craig emotionally shared how he ended up as a Strictly judge (Picture: BBC)

‘People were telling me that I was good at it and it was the first thing that I’d ever been any good at,’ Craig continued.

‘They were wonderful to be around, I felt like I was a part of a community that understood me and didn’t judge me.

‘Where I grew up, it was not acceptable to be even slightly effeminate.

‘I wanted to be a dancer and that was not acceptable.’

Craig felt like a ‘social misfit’ as a child in Australia (Picture: BBC)

Craig joined Strictly in 2004 (Picture: BBC)

After leaving his hometown, ‘as soon as possible’, the future household name moved to Melbourne using dance as his ‘escape route’, and decided to train as a hairdresser before he got his big break, starring in shows like West Side Story and Cats.

Along the way, Craig discovered his alter-ego, Lavish.

‘I was in shows, and I was very successful, but I wanted more,’ he began, saying: ‘So I created this character, called Lavish.’

‘I would go out at moon night at clubs, I turned up one day in a red wig, six-inch stilettos, my trumpet, and I said, “Do you need someone to perform?”‘

Craig created his character Lavish (Picture: BBC)

Unfortunately, Lavish was last seen in 1988 (Picture: BBC)

He added: ‘I really loved, it was great fun, but she became a little too popular, and started to take over my life.

‘So in 1988 she was last seen walking up the Champs Elysees with heels in hand darling, and she’s never been seen since.’

Eventually, Craig stopped auditioning for shows and started working behind-the-scenes as a choreographer, but after arguments with directors, Craig began directing musicals himself, which led to his name catching the eye of producers, and later landed him his Strictly role.

More: Trending

He reminisced: ‘The best thing I ever told myself when I was a kid was follow your dreams and never give that up.

‘Follow your passion and you will be successful – and if you’re not, dust yourself off darling and try it again, because only through failure do we find success.’

It Takes Two continues tomorrow night on BBC Two at 6.30pm.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Radio 1’s Rickie Haywood-Williams revealed as second celebrity joining Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special

MORE : Rosie Ramsey becomes first star to join Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special 2022

Entertainment – MetroRead More