Because the toughest judge to please on the dance show’s panel has hailed this year’s celebrity line-up as “exceptional” – and admits Eastenders star Bobby, 20, has blown him away.
Craig said: “Bobby, who you wouldn’t think would be any good at all, has turned out a real gem in the whole show.
“He is likeable and I think a lot of people love watching him and love his character. I think he’s fantastic.”
Actor Nigel Harman, 50, who also shot to fame on ’Enders, and Sherlock star Amanda Abbington, 49, have also caught Craig’s usually critical eye.
He said: “I’m really surprised by Nigel. I think he’s really, really good.
“Amanda is coming up as well. She’s equally impressive. There’s a lot of people in it who could win. I think this year it’s exceptional.”
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Craig has also been bowled over by Strictly Come Dancing’s oldest ever contestant. He gushed: “Angela Rippon is really incredible. I mean, she’s just literally turned 79.
“If I could dance like that at that age… well, I’d like to be able to dance like that now!
“She is a fantastic advertisement for older ladies and anyone, older men, to get up and have a go.”
The famously outspoken judge, 58, has admitted he has “mellowed with age”, which might help explain why he is so full of praise for the Strictly class of 2023.
He is juggling his Strictly commitments with a UK tour of Annie, in which he plays the orpanage owner Miss Hannigan.
The show is currently in Sheffield, before hitting Hull and then Belfast’s Grand Opera House on October 31.
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He is the BBC show’s longest-serving judge, having been grilling and marking its stars since it first aired in 2004. Show host Tess Daly is the only other member of the original cast.
Next will mark two decades for the pair in the ballroom.
Proud Craig said: “I know, it’s amazing, really. I mean, when we first started out, I really gave it like literally three weeks.
“I was saying, ‘There’s no way it will last, this is never going to take off.’ And, of course, I was completely wrong.
“Now it’s gone to 61 countries worldwide, which is quite frightening.
“It’s like the BBC’s biggest flagship enterprise and it brings in a lot of money through the BBC Worldwide part of it. It’s a brilliant, brilliant thing.
“It’s so good that it’s not just this country but 61 countries worldwide that love it.”
Craig Revel Horwood is currently on tour with Annie – visit www.anniethemusicaltour.uk to book tickets.
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