Craig Revel Horwood reveals Bruce Forsyth forgot his name during first Strictly

By Press Association

October 28 2022, 11:22pm

For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only Undated BBC handout photo of judge Craig Revel Horwood on the launch show of Strictly Come Dancing 2022. Issue date: Friday September 23, 2022. See PA story Showbiz Strictly. Photo credit should read: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.

Craig Revel Horwood has revealed the late Sir Bruce Forsyth forgot his name during the first Strictly Come Dancing show as he guest hosted The One Show for the BBC’s centenary.

The notorious judge presented the BBC evening chat show on Friday alongside regular host Alex Jones as part of the special programming to mark the broadcaster reaching 100 years.

Reflecting on Horwood’s time on the popular dance competition, Jones pointed out that it “didn’t get off to a great start”.

She then showed a video of the show’s original lead host Sir Bruce asking Horwood for his critique on a routine and accidentally addressing him as ‘Craig Devil Horwood’.

We just HAD to dig out @CraigRevHorwood's first ever #Strictly clip from 2004! 😱
✨ @bbcstrictly has come a long way since! 👏#TheOneShow 👉 https://t.co/U5MpIlhCTH #BBC100 pic.twitter.com/ryaZLJWBIY
— BBC The 100 Show (@BBCTheOneShow) October 28, 2022

The judge, who has featured on the hit show competition since its inception in 2004, said: “Devil – he didn’t know my name then.”

He added: “But it was a wonderful first show. I mean, we had absolutely no clue what we were doing.

“We were just making it up as we’re going along, but it’s turned out really brilliant and I’m so proud to be part of it.”

Horwood also spoke to this series’ contestants EastEnders’ star James Bye and professional dancer Amy Dowden in the studio.

Reflecting on Horwood’s style of critiquing, Bye said: “He’s always encouraging. Craig’s notes are always quite specific, sometimes a little subjective.

“But ultimately they’re there to encourage us, they want us to get better and you do feel that as a celebrity on the show you definitely feel like the judges are there to to make you better.”

NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL A MEDLEY! 🎶
Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra play us out magnificently, performing all your favourite BBC theme tunes! 📺
Thank you all for watching our special centenary shows and to everyone that took part! 👏#TheOneShow #BBC100 pic.twitter.com/2iYH6iO2KM
— BBC The 100 Show (@BBCTheOneShow) October 28, 2022

Last weekend, the dance competition honoured the broadcasters 100 years with routines to classic BBC theme songs and references to popular shows.

EastEnders star James Bye paid homage to the BBC soap opera as he performed the foxtrot to Julia’s Theme, the show’s alternative version of the classic theme song.

Also on the special One Show episode, Jools Holland performed a medley of BBC themes from across the broadcaster’s 100 years with a band in front of an audience.