The famous Strictly Come Dancing judge is known for his acid-tongued critiques of celebrity couples’ performances on the iconic ballroom dance floor.
From his cutting comments to his disappointed eye-rolls, Craig Revel-Horwood is undoubtedly the judge every dancer is terrified to be critiqued by.
But it’s not just the contestants who are heartbroken by his cruel comments, as many professional dance partners recall also feeling disheartened by his pearls of wisdom on the show.
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Despite his sometimes harsh comments, the long-serving judge, 57, holds a wealth of knowledge in the ballroom arena after first starting off his dancing career back in 1982.
(Image: BBC)
The Australian-British judge had a turbulent upbringing during his childhood as the son of an alcoholic naval officer and a housewife, but soon found an escape through his passion for dance.
He first began dancing in Ballarat, Australia where he went on to perform in a number of musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats and Miss Saigon.
But what many fans may not know is that the star secretly paid for his dance lessons by working as a rent boy while he worked as a sous chef as a teenager.
(Image: PA)
While living as a teenager in Australia, the former drag queen revealed he was approached by a sugar daddy who was willing to pay for his dance lessons in exchange for sexual favours.
Speaking to Cheltenham Literary Festival, the Strictly judge revealed: “He said, ‘I will pay for your classes but you come away with me and we do the dirty’.”
Craig – who was just 17-years-old at the time – now credits the mystery man for all of his success as a professional dancer and celebrity judge.
(Image: PA)
The award-winning dancer went on to clarify on Timmy Alexis Carrington Ward’s show Here She Is that he only ever had one client while he worked as a rent boy.
Although he never revealed how much he was paid, he did explain to the TV host that his relationship with the mystery man paid for a whole year’s worth of dance lessons.
He admitted: “That’s how I paid for my dance lessons. It was a year of dance lessons so add that up darling.”
(Image: PA)
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“It was like a casting couch so it was the best thing that ever happened to me,” Craig confessed.
The pro judge continued: “I suppose that could be compared to a lady getting engaged and getting a great big, sparkling Tiffany ring – and then breaking off the engagement but keeping the ring.”
And it appears as though all of his hard work paid off as the fiancé boasts a lengthy dance career which doesn’t show any sign of slowing down so far.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
