Craig Revel Horwood on his difficult childhood, Strictly and turning 60

What do you make of Amanda Abbington’s complaints about her treatment by dance partner Giovanni Pernice on Strictly?

It says a lot that only six minor complaints out of the 17 were upheld in the BBC’s investigation [into Giovanni’s alleged bullying]. So, I feel now we can move forward with a fresh approach.

The good thing to come out of a difficult situation was the introduction of chaperones to Strictly. It’s great that now professionals and celebrities have someone to go to for advice and to resolve issues and conflicts before they become a problem.

Striving for gold is never easy but gold is what competitors want, don’t they? At the same time, Strictly’s not the Olympics.

It’s a dance show and it’s entertainment. We shouldn’t forget that.

You’re celebrating your 60th birthday on January 4. How does that number feel?

Well, it’s a nice round number, isn’t it? A great number. My pension comes to fruition and, although I don’t have any plans to, I could retire. In my case, too, it’s wonderful still looking 40 when you’re 60. It’s all going very well.

The first day I have free is in early July. So that’s when I’ll celebrate. My whole family are coming over and we’ll have a big 60th birthday party at my home. It’s going to be a double celebration because my mum recently came through six months of chemo.

She beat cancer the first time ten years ago, and she’s been given the all-clear again. She’s in very high spirits about that fact, as we all are.

You’re planning a big wedding in 2027. Why did it take so long to meet the love of your life?

I wasn’t ready before and my career felt more important than my personal life. After I met Jonathan [Myring], I realised it was important to give the time to developing a relationship. 

On his life growing up

As a teenager, I was overweight. I hated sport, especially long-distance running.

My PE teacher once made me run around the Oval with my shirt off so everyone could see my pendulous boy boobs. My classmates nicknamed me ‘Tits’.

My father was an alcoholic abuser who was vile, so it was a terrible upbringing and dance became my escape from it. He died a few years ago from alcohol poisoning and I’m grateful I’d sort of made my peace with him. 

There were five of us kids in the family – two boys and three girls – and we’re all very wary of alcohol and very knowledgeable about its effects.

So, we’re always on guard about it and sympathetic to people whose lives have been affected by an alcoholic.