Craig on Bruno’s Strictly ‘exit’
Craig Revel Horwood talks about how it’s all-change on Strictly, life in the country and a new duets album…
The Coronavirus crisis has turned life as we know it upside-down, and BBC’s StrictlyCome Dancing isn’t exempt from the hit. But, thankfully, the sparkly show will be back – albeit later than usual (launching mid-October, rather than September), offering some muchneeded escapism with sensational dance routines, glittery costumes and hilariously catty comments from the judges – or, should we just say, from judge Craig Revel Horwood?! Yes, it might look a little different - but as Australian theatre star Craig, 55, points out, we should rejoice that it’s happening at all!
Craig, how have you been?
It’s been a crazy year so far, but I’ve been fine, darling. I did Dancing with the Stars in Australia, I’ve been pottering about in my country pile with my fiancé, Jonathan [Myring], gardening, cooking, recording music – perfect for when the theatre might return, and I can grace it with my presence! Everything’s in chaos due to Coronavirus, including my oneman show. We’ve rescheduled, I’m rehearsing it – but we don’t know whether theatres will be open to do it. It’s a bone of contention whether panto season will even happen!
Tell us about the new music you’re recording…
I’m working on a new duets album with a singer called Rietta Austin. She’s isolating in rural New Zealand, so she’s Skyping her bits, and I’m doing stuff in the studio. It’s power ballads, stuff we love! And four new tracks nobody has ever heard before, which should be interesting. One, Rainbows, we wrote especially for the NHS.
And what about Strictly – it seems Bruno Tonioli could well be out?
Well, he’s based in America and he’s got Dancing with the Stars over there. It’s all about the quarantine rules, the US travel ban and what’s possible. It’s unsafe for him to be flying regularly, and he’s contracted for several years to the US show, so his first obligation is to that.
Will you miss Bruno if he can’t do it?
Oh, of course I will. His energy’s fantastic. But let’s face it, desperate times call for desperate measures – we’re lucky to be getting Strictly on the road at all. And it will still work if it’s just me, Shirley and Motsi. They might throw guest judges in for fun. We can handle this season – then, when everything’s back to normal, Bruno can make his triumphant return!
Cheryl was mooted as a replacement…
Yes. Lovely girl, but I honestly don’t think it will happen. I don’t think they need it. Plus, there will be more
space at the desk for us three. I can always do the odd Bruno impression again, and throw myself about the place – to liven things up a bit!
Strictly’s going to be different, isn’t it?!
Yes – I don’t know which celebs or how many are going in, but it will still be amazing and interesting. There might even be the first same-sex couple, who knows?! People need Strictly – and it’s happening – come hell or high water.
What else is new this series?
They’ll isolate performers in bubbles – a bubble between the celeb and their dancer – and the dancers will also be in their own bubble for August, they’ll all be isolated together in a hotel. Once they move into the studio, they’re still in that bubble, but this time, introducing the production crew. And they’ll pre-record the dance routines.
How do you feel about it all?
Oh, the show must go on! We had them dancing on the rooftops in Australia! Everything, anything, is possible. Pushing people into creative corners can create new and wonderful things. And the beauty about television is, you can be five metres apart, but split the screen, and people look like they’re next each other.
Will these ‘bubbles’ make relationships more intense?
Haha, sadly not, as they won’t be living with each other. The rule is, the dancer can go back to their home, and the celeb to either their home or a hotel. As long as they’re the only people they’re in touch with, they can dance together. Which is perfect. We have to adapt and get on with it, really.
Will you judges be do anything differently?
No, we’ll just come in and out, and social distance. Which we did, anyway – they always kept us away from everybody else! And there’ll be no brushing up next to each other. If Bruno’s not there, there’ll be more space to stretch out, anyway… We’ll also be doing all our own hair and make-up. I’ll be OK with that, though. I was a hairdresser, in a past life. Plus, I am no stranger to make-up, let’s face it, darlings…