Such a drag
able alcoholic. But she doesn’t go as far as him. She verbally abuses the kids but she doesn’t rough them up.” Craig can sometimes be found in the pub, unwinding with a glass of bubbly after the curtain has fallen. But his dad’s addiction means he knows his limits. He said: “Children of alcoholics have to be so careful because they can turn into an alcoholics without even realising it. It’s in our genes. In this industry, everything is an opening night and the first thing that goes in your hand is a glass of champagne.” Craig spends most of his free time watching telly and having his nails done instead of partying. Not that he has much, juggling Annie with Strictly and choreography commitments. In real life, Craig is far more amiable than his Mr Nasty Strictly persona. He says he cried when learned of Strictly host Bruce Forsyth’s death. Craig said: “He wasn’t just a colleague, he was a friend, someone I knew and loved. I’m a human being, I have emotions. I don’t seem to on Strictly but of course I do.”
Predictably, Craig has strong opinions on this year’s Strictly celebs, many of whom turned up to support him on his first night as Miss Hannigan on Monday, along with new judge Shirley Ballas.
He said: “My favourite from last week has to be Alexandra Burke. Debbie McGee is amazing and Aston Merrygold is phenomenal. It was sad that Chizzy went out last week. I was looking forward to seeing what she had to offer.
“The Reverend is not much cop and Brian Conley needs a good looking at. And Charlotte Hawkins needs help.”
Craig adds that he has bonded with Shirley since she replaced Len Goodman, adding: “I love her judging style. She says it like it is, she’s a bit like me – except she takes longer to say it.”
But will Craig still be the biggest bitch? “Yes. Definitely!”