Craig Revel Horwood: "I could watch Tasha dance all day every day"
The Strictly judge talks to Ken about this year's "amazing dancers"
As the Strictly Come Dancing final creeps ever closer, Craig Revel Horwood joins Ken Bruce on Greatest Hits Radio to talk this year's Strictly talent, how John Travolta "made dancing cool" and tells us about his new album and accompanying tour.
The Strictly judge, who picked 1977 as his Golden Year for Ken's show, released 'Revelations: Songs Boys Don’t Sing' in October. Despite a packed schedule in the latter part of this year for Strictly Coming Dancing, he's preparing to head out on tour from April until June, in celebration of turning 60.
The Australian-British dancer, choreographer and theatre director will celebrate his special birthday on 4th January, shortly after the curtain goes down on the 22nd series of Strictly. He told Ken about the 2024 talent:
“There are some amazing dancers this year," said Craig. "I mean Tasha is almost like the Leighton of last year. I mean she’s fantastic. Loving watching her dance. I could watch her dance all day, every day.”
When asked by Ken whether there's still room for "the duffers", Craig said: “Yeah of course there are. It’s really great watching someone come from nothing and go to something, and really learn. And I think that’s always valuable for people at home, because they can compare themselves to that person and think actually…I might try that. It just shows you that actually dancing is for everyone, no matter what you think your level or ability is. You don’t have to be a professional dancer to enjoy dancing."
Craig's new album 'Revelations: Songs Boys Don’t Sing' and accompanying tour...
In October, Craig released his debut solo album 'Revelations: Songs Boys Don't Sing', saying he had thought he was never going to perform again.
"I really gave up musical theatre when I was 30 and I went to the dark side, which was directing and choreographing. And I preferred that. And then I was never really going to perform again...or so I thought. Until I was offered pantomime and then of course one thing lead to another and I ended up in Annie playing Miss Hannigan and of course singing again on stage. And really loving it.
"I've always sung around the house. I still always did my scales. I kept the muscle alive and going, because I enjoy it. But I just wasn't performing it. That's all. And then when panto came around, I started building up the muscle again and of course with Annie, doing that from 2015 all the way through until 2023, I was loving it again. Back on the boards.
"And I thought, I think I'm going to do something before I'm 60. And I'm gonna do an album...but what album. And I thought, well it's a revelation that I'm singing anyway. So I thought I'll call it Revelations. And I thought, I don't want to sing just all normal songs. I want to sing all the stuff that I love singing at home, and things that I'll never sing probably ever on stage probably again. And they're all songs that women do sing and boys don't sing.
"There are a lot of tunes on there that are musical theatre, of course, as well as some others that people won't know. There's your classics from musicals I was in. So it was just all fun stuff and great tunes that men don't often get to sing."
When Ken asked about his tour, Craig said: "It's 53 dates and it's going all around the country. It begins in April and goes through April, May and June. And my family are going to come up as I finish up in Scotland. They're all coming over from Australia to see it. And then I'm going to celebrate the end of the tour with a 60th birthday bash.
"For me it's kind of like a birthday present to myself. My mum has always wanted me to do a CD!"
Craig on his 'Golden Year' 1977...
"That was the year that I recall the most probably that shaped me as a human being.
"It was the age of disco. It was the age when Saturday Night Fever came out and John Travolta was dancing and he made dancing cool. I went to a boys school and it was my first year of going to high school. And I was absolutely terrified.
"1977 was a big year for me. And certainly when disco was coming out and Saturday Night Fever and all of that. It was amazing because everything in the playground had changed. People were playing handball, football and cricket and it all changed to learning disco steps. And that was making it cool that you could dance in the playground.
"I saw someone doing some John Travolta moves in the playground and I went up to that person and said 'can you teach me that'. It just opened my eyes and put me in love with music.
"I studied music because of that."
Watch Ken's full interview with Craig Revel Horwood...
Now check out all the Strictly winners to date...
Series 1 winner – Natasha Kaplinsky
BBC newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky was the first celebrity to dance her way to victory in the summer of 2004 with professional dancer Brendan Cole. She finished 39 points ahead of her fellow finalis, Christopher Parker, and received the highest points for eight out of the 10 dances on the series.
Since the competition, Natsha went on to have two children, Arlo and Angelica and was awarded an OBE for her services to the Holocaust Commission. She continued her career in journalism leaving the BBC in 2008, before joining Channel 5 and then ITV.
Series 2 – Jill Halfpenny
Also in 2004 (but this time in December) soap actress Jill Halfpenny also became a Strictly champion alongside her dance partner Darren Bennett. Their Jive was the first ever Strictly routine to score a full house of 40 points, so we're not surprised she went on to win!
Jill was most well known for starring as Rebecca Hopkins in Coronation Street and Kate Mitchell in EastEnders. After Strictly she continued her acting career before stepping onto the West End, performing in plays such as Uncle Vanya and even Chicago. Now, she's a broadcaster for BBC Radio 2, which she's been doing since 2017.
Series 3 – Darren Gough
English cricketer Darren Dough stole the glitterball trophy from the likes of Zoe Ball and chef James Martin, despite never reaching the top of the Strictly leaderboard with his dance partner, Lilia Kopylova. The pair also went on to win the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special in 2005.
Darren retired from his cricketing career in 2008. The following year he became a presenter on the sport radio station Talk Sport, which he is still currently doing.
Mark Ramprakash
You may remember England cricketer Mark Ramprakash was the first ever contestant to restart a routine on Strictly after his microphone got caught in his dance partner's dress. However despite the hiccup, they still received the highest score! He was the second cricketer to bowl through and take home the glitterball in 2006. The sportsman soon departed from playing on the cricket pitch to coaching on it instead, and became the batting coach for the England cricket team. He then departed this role in 2019.
Series 5 – Alesha Dixon
Former R&B singer Alesha Dixon lifted the glitterball in 2007 alongside her dance partner Matthew Cutler in what was a very close final, as she finished just two points ahead of actor Matt Di Angelo.
Since her time on the dance floor, we've seen Alesha sit on the Strictly judging panel herself from 2009 to 2011, before leaving to judge on Britain's Got Talent, America's Got Talent and then Australia's Got Talent.
Series 6 – Tom Chambers
Holby City and Casualty actor Tom Chambers' Strictly win alongside Camilla Dallerup became somewhat controversial, as despite scoring the lowest of the three finalists the public still made him their winner.
Tom clearly enjoyed his time on the dance floor, as he starred in a stage version of the musical Top Hat, before returning for two Strictly Christmas Specials in 2008 and 2015.
Series 7 – Chris Hollins
Ola Jordan helped breakfast presenter Chris Hollins dance his way to victory in 2009. After the show he continued with his presenting career at the BBC for various shows including The Rescues, Cash In The Attic, and The Food Inspectors. He is also a presenter for BT Sport Live.
Series 8 – Kara Tointon
It wasn't just the glitter ball that Eastenders actress Kara Tointon left with at the end of her time on Strictly, but a new love with her professional dance partner Artem Chigvintsev. The pair even celebrated their win with a kiss - how romantic!
Since Strictly Kara continued a successful acting career taking to the stage too. Her most notable role was playing Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion in the West End and the ITV live production of The Sound of Music, where she played Maria.
Sadly, Kara and Artem's Strictly romance didn't last and the couple decided to part ways in 2014.
Series 9 – Harry Judd
McFly drummer Harry Judd stole the winning spot in series 9 with professional dancer Aliona Vilani, beating fellow finalists Chelsee Healey & Jason Donovan. Harry fought hard to take the winning spot and didn't top the leaderboard until week 7, but from then on he received high 30s throughout the rest of the competition.
Since Strictly, Harry returned to the band McFly and released new music with them in 2020. More recently he welcomed baby number three into the world with his wife, Izzy Judd.
Series 10 – Louis Smith
Louis took home bronze and glitter in 2012 after his success at the 2012 Olympics and on the Strictly dance floor, with dance partner Flavia Cacace. In the final he danced against Denise Van Outen and Girls Aloud's Kimberley Walsh, receiving the lowest score from the judges. But it didn't matter, as the British public voted for him to be their winner. Louis continued to represent Great Britain in the Olympics before retiring and swapping gymnastics for the theatre. He even continued doing some dancing too and took part in this years series of The Masked Dancer and won!
Series 11 – Abbey Clancy
Abbey Clancy and AljaĹľ Skorjanec's routine regularly stole the show, so we weren't surprised when the pair were crowned the Strictly winners in 2013.
After the show Abbey went on to become a judge Britain's Next Top Model and welcomed her fourth child with husband Peter Crouch in 2019.
Series 12 – Caroline Flack
Caroline Flack and partner Pasha Kovalev became the first and still are the only Strictly couple to receive 40 points for all three dances in the final. Caroline continued a successful TV career after the show, presenting on the X-Factor alongside Olly Murs and on ITV's Love Island. Sadly, Caroline took her own life in February 2020 and our thoughts are with all who knew her.
Since Caroline's passing, her mum Christine has become an advocate for mental health.
Series 13 – Jay McGuiness
Jay McGuiness was one of four members from boy band The Wanted and won with partner Aliona Vilan. The singer credited much of his success to his dance partner and on winning told her: "You deserve it so much, you really do." After taking a musical break for seven years, The Wanted are now back together and are embarking on a UK tour in 2022.
Series 14 - Ore Oduba
The TV and radio presenter was known for wearing his heart on his sleeve throughout the competition, regularly getting emotional throughout the series. But he shed tears of joy after beating Louise Redknapp and ex Hollyoaks star Danny Mac, which saw him take home the glitter trophy.
In 2019 he began his musical theatre career, starring in the UK Tour of Grease and made his West End debut in January 2020.
Series 15 - Joe McFadden
Joe McFadden was the second Holby City actor to win Strictly with partner Katya Jones. He may not have been a natural dancer at the start, but he certainly came out on top beating Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee and Gemma Atkinson in the final. After Strictly he performed in the UK tour of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert.
Series 16 - Stacey Dooley
The journalist and broadcaster beat show favourite, Joe Sugg, with her dance partner Kevin Clifton. The couple had clearly fallen for each other while on the show as shortly after it was announced they were a couple.
Stacey went on to make two more documentaries and made appearances on other TV shows, including Glow Up and most recently presented DNA Family Secrets alongside Turi King, which helps people find out secrets about their families through DNA tests. Stacey and Kevin are also still together.
Series 17 - Kelvin Fletcher
Despite entering as a replacement for reality TV star Jamie Laing who injured his foot, former Emmerdale actor Kelvin stole the show and came out on top with his dance partner Oti Mabuse. Kelvin is a self-confessed 'petrol head' and has taken part in many motorsport races, including the British GT Championships.
Series 18 - Bill Bailey
Bill blew everyone's socks off and became the oldest contestant in Strictly history to take home the glitterball trophy. It was a big moment for his partner Oti Mabuse too, as their victory marked her second win.
Bill's back to doing what he loves best, which is making us laugh, as well as playing his guitar and spending lots of time outdoors.
Series 19 - Rose Ayling-Ellis
EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, who was the first ever deaf contestant to take part in Strictly, and her professional dancer Giovanni Pernice beat GBBO star John Whaite and Johannes Radebe for the Glitterball after a tense 2021 finale.
Rose, who plays Frankie on the BBC soap, was applauded by deaf communities over the world for raising awareness of sign language and how being deaf doesn't affect your ability to dance.
Series 20 - Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal
Wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza Yassin won the 20th series of Strictly Come Dancing with his professional partner Jowita Przystal. A firm favourite due to his high energy, great enthusiasm and incredible lifts, he beat radio presenter and singer Fleur East, singer and actress Molly Rainford and TV presenter Helen Skelton to the Glitterball Trophy.
Series 21 - Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola
Former Coronation Street actress Ellie Leach was crowned the 2023 winner alongside her professional partner Vito Coppola. Ellie was in the final alongside Layton Williams and Bobby Brazier, and despite not topping the leaderboard during the final, the public voted for her to be crowned the 2023 winner of the Glitterball Trophy.
Series 22 - Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell
Comedian Chris McCausland made Strictly history in 2024 when he become the first ever blind contestant to take part. Not only did he surpass all expectation, Chris and his partner Dianne Buswell went on to win the show, picking up the Glitterball Trophy.