Craig Revel Horwood talks Annie, being a villain and all things Strictly

It's not too much of a stretch to think of mean Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood playing the part of a villain.

He seems to revel (if you pardon the pun) in being the one who says exactly what he thinks about the performances on the dancing show, regardless of whose feelings he might hurt.

However playing the part of a woman? In a stage play? Well it's not as strange as it might sound.

And while Craig may give virtuoso performances as a pantomime dame, his Miss Hannigan in the stage production of Annie at Plymouth's Theatre Royal this week is certainly no drag queen.

Craig told ITV News Westcountry that he's an actor playing a part, not a man in drag, and he certainly makes a very convincing woman!

It's not Craig's first time in Plymouth, he's opened shows here before and he loves it here. In fact he was planning a trip on a Yacht in Plymouth Sound as I spoke to him.

He's combining this stage role with the return of Strictly and, without giving too much away, gave his thoughts on the dancers for this season.

His tip for success is Peter Andre, but he also said former Olympian Iwan Thomas is very promising, because he's be willing to take criticism and learn from it.

He also said there are some great girls in the show, but said caustically: "Some people can and some people can't."

I have to say, and this may be a bit of a spoiler, in real life Craig Revel Horwood is an absolutely charming and delightful man. He called me dahling, which was fantastic, but there was no hint of the raised eyebrow or disdainful look. However, there's plenty of it in Annie and for that, I'm really thankful.