Craig Revel Horwood has revealed his retirement plans ahead of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, where he will return as a judge alongside Shirley Ballas, Anton du Beke and Motsi Mabuse. In the final episode of his new podcast, Craig admitted he has a plan to retire.
Contemplating life in showbusiness
Speaking on their joint podcast Judgemental, Craig said: "I've got to be honest I've judging my life in showbusiness and whether I should carry on or not. It's a serious thought."
"Now I've been asking myself do I want to remain in showbusiness or would I like to retire and go somewhere quiet out of the public eye? I've just been contemplating so I've been questioning it."
Retirement goal moved to 70
He had previously hoped to retire when he was 50 years old, but with that milestone now passed, he has decided to wait until he's 70 but insists that's his limit.
"My thoughts were I would retire at 50, so now I've changed the goal post to 70. I tend to work 10 years in advance. I don't think I'll ever leave it but I used to love the times before I was known to the public. I have been seriously contemplating when the best time is to do it because it will be an inevitability," he said.
Craig and Anton discuss Bruce Forsyth
Craig and co-star Anton also discussed Strictly legend Bruce Forsyth's glittering career, and Anton confessed he just wanted to keep going and going and would never retire.
Craig previously told The Mirror how turning 60 doesn't trouble him, but he's not ready to retire. "When I was 25, I took out my pension and began paying in £136 a month. I have been paying that ever since. I once said I would like to retire at 50 and to be able to afford a bottle of champagne every day. But that didn't work out," he explained.
"Then I thought, well maybe I will retire at 60. But now I've just bought a new house and gutted it - and everything is so expensive. So I don't think retirement is on the cards for me just yet."
Feeling young at heart
Craig added that he was feeling great at 60 and still feels young at heart. "I'm feeling great at 60. I remember when I was 30 and thought 60 year olds were ancient, but I don't feel ancient. I also remember people saying you're only as old as you feel and actually it is true. I'm still performing, and choreographing 18,19, 20 year olds," he said.
"It keeps me relevant and in a young mindset because I'm conversing with them, working with them, having a laugh with them - part of the team, the group, the clan. It keeps me up to date too with how young people speak - I know all the lingo."
