Craig thought Strictly Come Dancing would flop

Craig Revel Horwood thought Strictly Come Dancing would be axed after just three weeks.

The acid-tongued judge told BBC London he thought the celebrity talent show would be viewed as old-fashioned.

Craig said: "We thought it was going to close after three weeks, we really did.

"I thought, 'Bringing back ballroom is a bit dodgy, isn't it?' Because it had been out of fashion for about 30 years; to bring it back in that way I thought was a bit bizarre, and I didn't know if the format was any good or not.

"But of course the nation took to it - and not only this nation, but 36 nations around the world, which I find amazing! The grannies can watch it, the mums and dads can watch it, the sons, their sons and daughters..."

Craig confessed he will miss judge Arlene Phillips, who is being replaced by former Strictly winner Alesha Dixon, but thinks we probably haven't heard the last of her.

"I think Arlene is doing The One Show with round-ups, so it will be interesting to see whether or not she ends up judging the judges!" he laughed. "I will miss her, but I'm also looking forward to working with Alesha because Alesha, of course, has won it. She has come up through the ranks and she knows her stuff, so it will be interesting to hear her point of view."