WHAT A SONG & DANCE

Craig Revel Horwood talks about his debut album of musical numbers written for female characters

- KERRI-ANN ROPER

STRICTLY judge Craig Revel Horwood knows the Charleston, Cha Cha, Samba, Salsa or any other routine he's judging on the dance show inside out.

But more recently, the 59-year-old has embarked on a project that's really forced him out of his comfort zone and has made him learn about a new version of himself.

That project is a debut solo album titled Revelations: Songs Boys Don't Sing, out this week. It will be followed by a 53-date UK tour beginning in April next year.

"I'm sort of excited," said Craig. "It's my first one ever. I never thought I'd ever record an album but it's been a great joy to actually do and it'll be interesting, I think, for people to hear me sing, because people really don't know that I do.

"I have (sung) for many, many years, obviously, being in musicals, etcetera, but this is the first time I'll be completely vulnerable and exposed to the world."

The tracks on the album are ones normally associated with female vocals and the listing includes songs like Don't Rain on My Parade from Funny Girl, On My Own from Les Miserables and Little Girls from Annie, a song he has sung before while playing Miss Hannigan.

It's definitely a different side to the judge, known as Mr Nasty thanks to his sometimes harsh scoring.

His life prior to Strictly, which he joined in 2004, making him the BBC programme's longest-serving judge, is filled with impressive credits.

Born in Australia, he moved to London in the late 80s, later becoming a UK citizen.