Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has revealed he has been living in a caravan for the past year and a half while his new home is renovated, and hopes the dining room will be ready in time for Christmas Day.
The 61-year-old, who is engaged to horticulturalist Jonathan Myring, bought the historic seven-bedroom mansion in King's Cliffe, Northamptonshire, in 2021. He said: "I've been living in a caravan for the last year and a half, because my house isn't ready. I can only fit three people in it comfortably. Hopefully, my house is going to be ready - at least the dining room - because I have invited people over for Christmas Day."
Renovation and Generosity
Craig said people have been "so generous" during the renovation period, adding: "They've invited me into their homes." His Christmas list also includes a removal service and a tennis court, though he noted the latter "is not on the cards anytime soon."
Once settled, he wants to repay the hospitality he has received. He said: "For people that haven't got a home or are struggling to find somewhere to go for Christmas, I always say, 'please come to my house'."
Strictly's Christmas Role
Craig, who moved to the UK from Australia at age 23, recalled his first Christmas in Britain: "All our chocolates and stockings melted." He has been a judge on Strictly since its inception 22 years ago and remains the only original judge on the show.
He described Strictly as "home for me at Christmas," comparing it to "the ritual of putting the Christmas tree up." He added: "When Strictly does start, it feels like, 'oh wow, it's going to be Christmas soon.'"
Community and Pantomime
Craig was speaking after turning on the Christmas lights in Grey Street, Stalybridge, east Manchester, as part of a community campaign with Fox's biscuits. He revealed that his three-times great-grandfather was born in nearby Ashton-under-Lyne in 1840 and started his clog dancing career there. His other great-great-great-grandfather, Moses Horwood, was a convict transported to Van Diemen's Land in 1841.
He will play the villain Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty at the Bristol Hippodrome this year, his 20th year in Christmas pantos. He said: "I've never been lonely, because I do panto. In fact, I'm wishing to be lonely! Two thousand 200 screaming kids a day, just give me at least two hours' respite."
Craig, whose debut album Revelations, Songs Boys Don't Sing was released in 2024, said he plans to wait until he is 70 to release another record. He added: "The best gift I've ever been given is the gift of love. When someone says that they love you. Honestly, you don't need anything else."
