Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood could be the next person to quit the show, according to one of its former pro dancers.
Fans of the flagship BBC dance show were dealt a blow last week when presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly quit after 21 years.
Now, Erin Boag, who competed on the show between 2004 and 2012, has shared her concerns over who’ll leave next, and given her verdict on who should take over Craig’s spot if he does decide to give up the coveted seat on the panel.
Is Craig Revel Horwood leaving Strictly?
The beloved Australian ballroom star previously hinted that he might step away from Strictly after celebrating his 60th birthday. Craig turned 60 back in January of this year.
He originally sent the rumour mill into meltdown back in 2023. At the time, Craig told how he wanted to “hang up his dancing shoes and enjoy life” when he turned 60. However, last September, in an interview ahead of the milestone birthday, he appeared to backtrack on his comments.
Craig admitted: “I’d be an idiot to retire. What would I do with myself? I love the show, I’ve become part of the furniture – and the fabric. [And] there’s only so much cooking and gardening you can actually do and I’d get bored. I think I’m just going to keep working until I drop dead.”
But that hasn’t stopped some from speculating on if his time on the judging panel is nearing its end…
‘It would be such a shame to see him go’
Speaking in conjunction with Genting Casino’s 20k Spins competition, Erin Boag said: “There’s been rumours about Craig leaving for a while after a comment he made about him retiring when he hit 60.
“Craig is a huge asset to the show and I know he plays a villain, but he’s not a villain really, it’s just panto. He puts things in a way that is much nicer than he used to. Sometimes you need an honest opinion like his.”
Erin added that it “would be a shame to see him go”. However, she’s got a firm idea of who should replace Craig, should he exit stage left – American Idol star Adam Lambert!
“If he ever was to leave, because it’s quite top heavy – if you look at Motsi, Shirley and Anton who all come from ballroom and Latin backgrounds – Craig comes from a theatre background and you would need to replace him with someone from the same background. You would need someone with a background of a different form of dance or theatre.
“Adam Lambert would be great. Somebody like him would be perfect. He’s from the theatre world. He does have a dance background that’s not ballroom and Latin, he’s all about performance. He can dance, sing and act.”
However, issuing a plea to Craig not to leave, a clearly concerned Erin commented: “Craig, don’t leave us! He’s a great asset in the show. I would hate to see him go.”
What Craig Revel Horwood has said about Tess and Claudia’s exit
Speaking on Loose Women last week (October 23), Craig said that he found out the news they were leaving at the same time as everyone else, when the unexpected announcement was posted on social media!
He explained how the news appeared on his smart watch, leaving him stunned just like the rest of us. “I was shocked!”
He then added: “I was sad, you know. I really loved them. And, I mean, obviously, I have been working on the show since the beginning with the gorgeous Tess, since May 2004, and it’s the end of an era. But I know that people need to move on.
“I get that. I wish them all the luck and everything, every good wish in the world, because I’m just going to love seeing this out now until Christmas,” he said.
Strictly continues on Saturday, October 25 at 6.25pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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