Craig Revel Horwood says ‘mouthy’ Strictly Come Dancing pro was ‘my archenemy’-Adam Miller-Entertainment – Metro

Craig Revel Horwood confirms with Strictly pro was his ‘archenemy’ (Picture: BBC)

As Strictly Come Dancing is about to celebrate its 20th birthday, judge Craig Revel Horwood has revealed which pro dancer was genuinely an ‘archenemy’.

Craig, 59, is the only Strictly judge to have been on the panel since the very first show when he was joined by Arelene Phillips, Bruno Tonioli and the late Len Goodman, who died in 2023 aged 78.

Newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole were the very first couple to lift the Glitterball trophy, and fall for the Strictly curse, but Craig has confirmed he got off on the wrong foot with the outspoken pro dancer right from the get-go.

‘I said, “She can hardly walk down the stairs, and the professional has the bowest legs I’ve ever seen”,’ Craig told Radio Times.

For his screen test, Craig had to judge a rehearsal of one of the couples who would be competing in the very first series of Strictly in 2004.

Of course, he was eating his words when they eventually won.

Despite Craig’s first impression, Natasha and Brendan went on to win the first Strictly (Picture: BBC)

‘By the end of that series it was nail-bitingly exciting,’ he continued. ‘It won the hearts and minds of a nation.

‘As for Brendan, we really were archenemies. He was very mouthy and he’d say, “Oh, what would you know?” So I secretly studied ballroom with Len’s wife Sue, because knowledge is power.’

And it worked as 20 years later Craig is still the snarky beating heart of Strictly.

These days the show looks very different though. The judging panel is now made up of former pro dancer Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and head judge Shirley Ballas.

The original line-up of Strictly Come Dancing judges with Bruno, Arlene, Len and Craig (from L-R) (Picture: BBC)

Craig now sits beside Motsi, Shirley and Anton on the judging panel (Picture: PA)

After winning Strictly in 2007, Alesha Dixon later replaced Arlene Phillips. When she then jumped ship to Britain’s Got Talent, the Mis-teeq singer was replaced by Dame Darcey Bussell.

After Sir Bruce Forsyth retired before his death in 2017, Claudia Winkleman stepped up to join Tess Daly as co-host.

However, Craig thinks the biggest transformation on Strictly over the years is the line-up, which now includes same-sex couples after years of debate.

Craig conceded that Strictly possibly included same-sex couples ‘one year too late’ as the show trailed behind Dancing on Ice, who made history with its first same-sex couple earlier with Ian ‘H’ Watkins from Steps and Matt Evers in 2020.

‘I wish we’d been braver sooner, but we’re there now,’ he said. ‘Viewers are more open-minded than we give them credit for. Some people will kick up a stink initially, then suddenly they’re fine with it and that’s how we change the world – from the persecution of gay men to two men dancing on national television.’

Strictly Come Dancing is expected to return to BBC One later this year. Rad Craig’s full interview in this week’s Radio Times.

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