Craig Revel Horwood says he's taking some 'much-needed time off' from TV after Strictly Come Dancing finishes

Craig Revel Horwood revealed he is taking 'some much-needed time off' in 2025 to celebrate his 60th birthday. 

The Strictly Come Dancing judge, who's birthday is on January 4th, said he feels 'exhausted' as he has been 'working back-to-back constantly' filming the BBC competition and performing in Peter Pan pantomime in Milton Keynes. 

Craig confirmed after finishing the Strictly Live Tour in early February he will be 'taking a couple of months to himself'.

The judge said: 'I've been working back-to-back constantly and I've got my 60th next year. I feel, now more than ever, I need to take a couple of months to myself.'

Craig is set to start rehearsals for the Strictly Live tour in early January and revealed it gets 'very emotional' between the stars after they finish their last day. 

'We start rehearsals for that [Strictly Live Tour] on January 6 and then that really will be the end of everyone'e Strictly journey. It gets very emotional towards the end!'

Speaking about the uniqueness of the BBC series, he continued: 'It feels like our bubble has burst. Every year we are like one big family. I don't think people realise how much time we spend with each other.'

Craig pointed out that as the series ends, it leads to widespread fatigue from the dancers and judges with some 'collapse with exhaustion' over the Christmas period following the intense show.  

It comes after Craig left This Morning's Ben Shephard stunned after dropping 'spoilers' live on the ITV show.

The judge joined the morning show host last week and before the dancing show judge's interview even started, Ben warned him not to share any spoilers. 

The star appeared on the show to promote his new pantomime Peter Pan in Milton Keynes Theatre and was dressed in full costume, complete with emerald green jacket and a ruffled collar. 

Despite the warning not to give away any secrets about his character Captain Hook, the former ballroom dancer dropped a huge hint about what happens in the show. 

As Cat Deeley asked whether the highlight of starring in the pantomime was 'playing the role of the baddie,' Craig revealed that it was.

He said: 'I say, it's the only part to have. I love coming on and upsetting people, it's my favourite thing to do at Christmas and it keeps me off the streets.' 

He went on to say: 'I love the booing, I love the whole sense of theatre about it, I love the dark and sinister side of it all, it's great. 

'But it's also a lot of fun, and I get my comeuppance in the end, and I get eaten by the crocodile, which is a little sad.'

But Ben then jumped in and chided the star for revealing the fate of Captain Hook and the dancing star quickly joked that his character might come back to life as the audience erupted into sufficient laughter. 

This isn't the first time Craig has taken to the stage and last year starred in Cinderella as the evil stepmother in the Mayflower Theatre in Southhampton.