‘Is the scoring fixed? I just give dances what I think they’re worth’
Michael Hogan receives a tongue lashing from pantomime villain Craig Revel Horwood
Craig Revel Horwood is building up a head of steam. I’ve just asked whether he and his fellow Strictly Come Dancing judges have been over-marking certain celebrities and under-marking others. It’s a perennial grumble that leads to allegations of favouritism but the chorus of complaints seems to have grown louder this series. It’s fair to say he refutes this.
“As a judge, I just score dances what I think they’re worth,” he thunders. “It’s a personal opinion. How would a non-professional at home know any better? Have they had dance training? Have they spent their entire life as a dancer? Probably not. If you want to be a judge on the programme, if you’re opinionated and have over 20 years’ experience in the industry, then write to the BBC, ask for a job and see if you get employed.”
The 53-year-old choreographer gives equally short shrift to the backlash against one of this year’s finalists, former Pussycat Dolls popstrel Ashley Roberts, for her prior dance training.
“She’d never done ballroom or Latin in her life,” argues Revel Horwood. “Lots of celebrities have had some sort of dance training, especially actors or singers – they have to have some movement skill and be trained physically. No one complained about [2015 champion] Jay Mcguinness, and he had dance experience. No one complained about Jill Halfpenny winning it [in 2004] and she’d been to theatre school. Why they’re so down on Ashley is beyond me. She’s done an amazing job. Besides, if we just had non-dancers on the show, it would not be an entertainment programme.”
Consider us told. Revel Horwood takes a breath and laughs.
If his replies are robust, it’s no indication of Revel Horwood’s mood, which is infectiously buoyant. He’s currently appearing in panto in Woking, Surrey (playing Cinderella’s Wicked Stepmother, naturally), and has taken time out between the matinee and evening performance to talk to me. He is not wearing his frock but is still wearing make-up and false eyelashes. “I’m entombed in my dressing room for a few hours each day because I can’t go anywhere looking like this,” he chuckles. “It’s quite nice actually. Sort of a getaway.”
Comedian Paul Chuckle – who lost his sibling and Chuckle Brothers sidekick
Barry four months ago – plays Revel Horwood’s husband, Baron Hardup. “It’s wonderful to see Paul up there doing his stuff as a soloist, although obviously
we all miss Barry,” sighs Revel Horwood. “I did Snow White last year with both of them. That was to be Barry’s last panto, sadly.”
But we must return to tomorrow’s Strictly grand final, to be contested by documentary-maker Stacey Dooley, vlogger Joe Sugg, Steps singer Faye Tozer and the aforementioned Ashley Roberts. Who’s going to win? “Who knows?” shrugs Revel Horwood. “The public votes decide, so it’s up to the nation. Our scores are just for people to use as a guide – or complain about! It’s a popularity contest now. But we’ve had some fantastic dancing this series. It’s been a really high standard.”
Everyone involved in Strictly says
Revel Horwood might be mean on-camera but he’s a pussycat backstage. “That’s true,” he concedes, before correcting the description: “But I’m not mean. I’m helpful. My advice gets misconstrued as being mean. I’d be meaner if I wasn’t honest with them.”
There’s also the Strictly Christmas special, which sees the return of 2010’s comedy contestant Ann Widdecombe. “Her dancing hasn’t improved at all,” laughs Revel Horwood. “But she’s a good stick to get up there and do it. Now she’s making a name for herself in pantomime too. It’s funny how things pan out.”
With that, he’s off to be hissed and booed some more. All in a day’s work.
Craig Revel Horwood stars in Cinderella at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking until Jan 6 2019. Book tickets on 0844 871 7645 or at atgtickets/woking