91 Quotes by Craig Revel Horwood

Anything people say about me I don't care. I really don't care. You read so much terrible stuff about yourself it sort of just ends up washing over.

I had long eyelashes and the other kids used to say I wore mascara.

I feel as though I'm constantly defending myself. I'm up against challengers from the ballroom world, from the dance world, people on the couch who hate what I'm saying about their favourite celebrity. Then you're up against the press, who will always want to put you in a box.

I direct as many shows as I can fit in between 'Strictly Come Dancing' and other performance stuff.

I'm not saying the persona on 'Strictly' isn't me - it's just that the nurturing side, which is also a part of who I am, isn't what I'm there for. I'm there to judge and to give an honest opinion, even if it's not the opinion someone wants to hear.

I hated sport, but at 13, I went to an aerobics class and the teacher thought I had natural rhythm. She suggested formal dance classes, and that's when I finally found something I was really good at.

My relationship with my dad was complex, especially when I came out. The years of verbal abuse, all of it drink-fuelled, were difficult. Later, though, he came to see me on stage in 'La Cage aux Folles' - one of his favourite shows - and loved it. Theatre won him over and he accepted me in the end.

I always thought I needed the support of someone in a long-term relationship to make me whole.

Lots of celebrities have had some sort of dance training, especially actors or singers - they have to have some movement skill and be trained physically.