Strictly pro tipped to replace Craig Revel Horwood as he confirms exit plan

03 November 2023 , 21:09

1024     0

Craig Revel Horwood is expected to quit Strictly Come Dancing after next year (Image: BBC)

Next year is expected to be the last season of Strictly Come Dancing that Craig Revel Horwood would star in - as he plans to bow out of the show when he turns 60.

The dancing expert is currently aged 58-year-old - but that will change in just a few weeks time when he turns 59 in January. The clock will then officially be counting down to his big 60th celebration - and he has previously explained he want’s to be gone from the long-running BBC dance show by that landmark age.

He warned Best magazine earlier this year that he plans to “hang up my shoes and enjoy life” once he is 60, adding: “I’m working hard while I can, especially as I love what I do. It keeps me on my toes, darlings!

“I'm now the same age as the late, great Len Goodman was when he first started - that's scary, isn't it?! The reason I look forward to it every year is because the cast changes. I think that's what's fun about it, it doesn't age. And this year's line-up is fab-u-lous!"

Cynthia Erivo is among the stars tipped to replace Craig on the show (BBC)

Now that the countdown to Craig’s exit is ticking, bets are being placed on who will replace him - with a dance pro, an X Factor star, and even an Oscar nominated actress in the running. Former Strictly pro Joanne Clifton has tipped Giovanni Pernice to take over Craig’s judging seat once he goes - thinking he will add flare to the panel.

EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness

She told Betway: Many of us would like to have a go at judging. I completely get why Anton wanted to. I can see Giovanni Pernice going for it in a couple of years' time. He could definitely be a type of Bruno Tonioli on the panel as he and Anton have their show together. He has a great personality."

Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo has been given odds of 3/1 by Ladbrokes - and would mean she would be returning to the judging panel on a long-term basis. The 36-year-old actress already filled in fro Craig in 2021 when he was forced to miss a weekend after teasing positive for Covid. She then repeated the favour when Motsi Mabuse was forced to step away after testing positive for Covid too.

Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton are a favourite duo to take over the seat (BBC)

Fleur East could also take over the chair (BBC/Ray Burmiston)

Craig himself has hinted she would be his preferred replacement, saying he thought she was “brilliant” in his chair. Meanwhile, former X Factor contestant Fleur East is also said to be in the running - having starred on the show as a contestant in 2022 and cut her teeth hosting companion show It Takes Two.

Some have predicted that two people would be needed to replace the energy and sarcasm of Craig - so star couple Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley have also been suggested as potential replacements. Kev, 41, was a professional dancer on Strictly from 2013 until 2019 - while he and Stacey, 36, won the series together before going on to find love and start a family.

Betfair Casino conducted a survey and found 14 percent of the public think the duo would make perfect replacements for Craig.

Mirror.co.uk