Strictly Come Dancing's longest-serving judge, Craig Revel Horwood, has shared a harrowing account of his childhood, dominated by his father's severe alcoholism and abusive behaviour.
In an exclusive interview, the TV personality revealed the profound impact his father Philip's addiction had on the family, detailing an environment so toxic it led to a violent incident that resulted in his father's imprisonment.
A Childhood Marred by Alcoholism
Craig described his father, a former lieutenant in the Royal Australian Navy, as a 'terrible alcoholic' whose disease cast a shadow over their entire upbringing. He stated that growing up around such addiction was 'just awful' and that home life was consistently abusive.
This difficult environment was a key reason he sought refuge in dance. 'Not only because I was porky, but because I just couldn't stand being at home,' Craig admitted. He believes this early escape ultimately paved the way for his lifelong career in performance.
The geographical distance he later put between himself and his family was deliberate. 'There was a good reason why I lived 10,000 miles away from home,' he reflected.
A Father's Struggle and a Family's Trauma
Craig's father, Philip, died suddenly, and a toxicology report later confirmed the presence of massive amounts of alcohol in his system. 'I think people don't realise how dangerous alcohol can be,' Craig commented, acknowledging his father's condition as a disease.
He recalled a particularly horrific episode where his father's abusive behaviour escalated dramatically. 'It got so bad that Dad ended up trying to shoot her [his mum] and my brother-in-law - and went to prison for it,' he revealed.
There was a brief period of hope when his father found sobriety through Alcoholics Anonymous. 'He was in AA for four years and I went through that with him a little bit,' Craig shared. 'They were the only four years I think he was ever really sober.' He characterised the change in his father's personality as a 'Jekyll and Hyde' transformation.
Following his father's death, Craig made a conscious decision to find peace. 'I made the decision that I was going to learn to love him and also love who he could have been,' he said.
Praise for His Mother and Royal Friendships
In stark contrast to his father, Craig speaks with deep affection for his mother. He credited her with playing a pivotal role in nurturing his early interests, including his passion for performance. Despite the turmoil at home, her presence provided him with a sense of normalcy and encouragement.
He also heaped praise on two other maternal figures: British royalty. He described the late Queen Elizabeth II as 'gorgeous' and 'the most remarkable lady,' recalling meeting her at an Australians Day event at Buckingham Palace.
Meanwhile, he counts Queen Camilla as a friend, a connection forged through their work for the Royal Osteoporosis Society. Craig, a patron and ambassador, directed a show for the charity where Camilla serves as president. The event raised an impressive £350,000, and Craig has personally raised £500,000 for the cause. He even shared an anecdote about his father calling him after seeing him 'dancing with that bloody Camilla' on the news.
In a lighter revelation, Craig also confirmed his close off-screen friendship with fellow Strictly star Anton du Beke, confessing, 'I really love him,' despite their frequent on-air spats. Of the show itself, he added, 'Strictly continues to inspire me.'
Craig Revel Horwood’s new book, Revelations: Songs Boys Don't Sing, is available to order now priced at £39.95 from A Way With Media.
