'Simon Cowell Would Be Great At The Rumba'

Strictly’s harshest judge talks kisses, curses and Cowell with Jordan Paramor

There are certain people on TV who live up to their on-screen personas (for instance, Gemma Collins is as diva-esque as you’d imagine), and then there are those who don’t (like Simon Cowell, who is very friendly and charming). So today, heat has no idea what to expect when meeting Strictly’s scariest judge, Craig Revel Horwood. Will he laugh at our questions? Will it be a disaaaaaaster if we say the wrong thing? Or will we end up thinking his Mr Nasty act is just for show and he’s actually a thoroughly lovely bloke?

Happily, it’s the latter. And, while the 53 year old is direct and says it how it is, he’s also warm, funny and has his tongue planted firmly in his cheek. “I’m actually quite smiley, darling,” he laughs. “What you see on screen is me being a judge. I’m totally different backstage. I’m terribly nice.”

With the third installment of his frank and funny autobiography In Strictest Confidence making headlines, let’s hope that smile stays in place while we throw all manner of questions at him…

You recently released your third book and you’ve been very honest. was it cathartic?

It was. I’ve got to a point in my fifties where I don’t care what people think any more. That’s a really nice place to be. If I had to talk to my younger self, I would have told him not to worry about what anyone says and to follow his dreams.

You’re very open about your past as a rent boy. were you initially nervous about putting it out there again?