Strictly Come Dancing's Craig Revel-Horwood has been a judge on the hit BBC show since its inception in 2004, and he certainly knows a thing or two.
The 58 year old dance expert has seen his fair share of celebrities strutting their stuff on the famous dance floor, and there's one celebrity dance he definitely won't forget – albeit for 'all the wrong reasons'.
As he gets ready to judge a new batch of celebrities, Craig has opened up on his love for the programme, as well as some of his fondest memories.
Here's what he had to say….
Strictly is back for its 21st series! How does it feel to return to the judging panel for such a monumental series?
Itโs like coming home for me. Every year, for the last 20 years, I have been coming home to Strictly and this is no different. I think it's even better because the line-up for this series is absolutely phenomenal.
We have asked all the pros what they were doing when they were 21. What were you doing when you were 21?
I had my 21st birthday in my hometown of Ballarat, Australia, as I hired a bus to take the cast of Me and My Girl, a show I was in at the time there, and had a fantastic time. I remember my 21st so well, because it was just incredible set in a haystack and very Australian and very non-theatrical even though it was full of lots of theatre people. It was a blazing hot day as well and everyone got burned, 21 was a great year for me in the theatre.
Every year, there's so much excitement when Strictly comes back. What keeps audiences coming back for more?
I think it's a programme that they can rely on. They know it's the lead up to Christmas and it's something they know, something they love and it's something they feel a part of. I think it embraces everybody and it has won the hearts and minds of not only this nation but so many. So there's something going right with it. I think it makes you feel like a part of the community which I think is great.
What is the biggest joy you take from your job and what's the biggest challenge?
The biggest joy I take from my job is getting front row seats to the best dance show in the world and the biggest challenge I think for me is making the right decisions when we're letting someone go. I think that's the hardest thing for me in the job.
If you could only dance one kind of dance style the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
A Charleston because that's my speciality, and it's completely different. It's such hard work and will keep me thin for the rest of my life. Anyone can do it and it doesn't matter how old you are, you can still get a bit of swivel in there!
Do you have one standout dance or celebrity dancer from last year Strictly?
I loved Fleur in Blackpool, she was amazing, this is when Fleur came into her own, I just loved it. She was right at home and rocking it and I got out my 10 paddle for the first time, which was great.
If you could only pick one favourite performance for all your series what would it be?
I think Anton Du Beke dancing with Ann Widdecombe, where he did the aeroplane move I just went โI cannot believe this is actually happening in front of my very eyesโ and that will stay with me until my death for all the wrong reasons, but every reason that that tells you what Strictly it's about. I think one of the best dances I've seen was Rose and Giovanni, I thought that was just amazing.
Strictly returned to Blackpool last year after some time away, how was that? Does it make you excited to return this year?
Yes, I really loved Blackpool! I filmed a couple of programmes up there over the summer and it was absolutely fantastic because I never get to go there in the summer. The audiences are great and the venue is bigger and I think that's exciting. And of course it has that wonderful sprung floor, so it's always great.
We have 19 brilliant pros the series, how would you sum up their contribution towards making the show what it is?
Well, they really make the show. They are the teachers, they're the nurturers, they're the embracers, they're the ones that pick up the pieces after the judges have judged them, they have to be all sorts of different things apart from just teachers, and they also have to be there to support, so they work really, really hard. They're the first ones in the last ones out and they're just amazing.
Is there one song that will never fail to get you on the dance floor at parties or wedding?
I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor. It's disco, Itโs my era darling and love it.
Finally, isthere anything you're particularly excited about?
This series, I'm really looking forward to see all the group numbers because I love those and I never get to see those until the day. Normally, I get to see them rehearse and all of that but that's what I look forward to the most.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 23 September at 6.15pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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