In Strictest Confidence

by Craig Revel Horwood

The third instalment in Craig Revel Horwood's frank and funny autobiography takes the reader through the highs and lows of the Strictly Come Dancing star's 'fab-u-lous' life. Join Craig and a host of Strictly stars - including Ore Oduba, Judy Murray and the unforgettable Ed Balls - on the show and live tours and get the real stories from behind the scenes. The Aussie-born judge shares his famously forthright views on the changes in the show's line up, from Bruce Forsyth and Len Goodman's departures to the arrival of Claudia Winkleman and Shirley Ballas, as well as the dancers and stars. Away from Strictly , Craig reveals fresh heartache over failed romances, his pain at losing his dad and how his work kept him from flying to Australia for the funeral. He marks the milestones in his life, including turning fifty and moving from London to live in a 'gorgeous' country pile, as well as going under the knife for a second hip operation plus a few nips and tucks. The multi-talented dancer, director and choreographer also discusses his award-winning shows, including Sister Act and Son of a Preacher Man , and spending a year in drag as Miss Hannigan in Annie . Plus, he reveals all about his foray into movies, choreographing Hugh Grant for Paddington 2 and making his big screen debut in Nativity Rocks . With his famous wit and a wealth of backstage gossip, My Fab-u-lous Life! is the perfect read for all his fans as well as those of Strictly Come Dancing .

Genres: Autobiography, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Biography

257 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 18, 2018

About the author

Craig Revel Horwood is an Australian-British dancer, choreographer and theatre director in the United Kingdom. He is a patron of the National Osteoporosis Society. He is best known as a judge on the BBC dancing show Strictly Come Dancing. He published his autobiography in 2008.

Reviews

[Amanda B · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 🌟 rounded up!

[theirishbooklover]

Honest, Real, Interesting.

I love listening to audiobooks where the author narrates the book. Craig Revel Horwood narrates this book which is another reason I really enjoyed it.

I have been a fan of Strictly Come Dancing for as long as I can remember. So when I saw this book on Borrowbox, I knew I would be borrowing it.

Craig honestly talks of the many adventures on strictly, romances and childhood. I didn't realise this is the third installment of autobiography by Craig.

As this is a non-fiction book, I will not be giving it a rating. I look forward to reading/listening to the other books in the series.

[Yorkshire Born and Bookish · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good read was nice to get to know Craig better was quite heartfelt and honest would recommend

[Meadbh Lenihan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whity

[Janet farrow1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good and very interesting

[Juliana Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly enjoyable book. It's not one that I would necessarily have chosen but it was included in Audible's 2 for 1 sale and I was struggling to find a second book to make up a pair. It was a fairly short book and only took about 5 or 6 hours to listen to but I did find myself tuning in when I add the odd snippet of time as I was really engaged with it.

It covers the most recent portion of Craig Revel Horwood's life (I hadn't read the previous 2 autobiographies which cover earlier years, but I might look them out), and touches on topics such as his family history (as discovered through his appearance on Who Do You Think You Are?), romantic relationships and some in depth discussion of Strictly Come Dancing and the various competitors from the last few years up to around 2018.

I had no idea that Craig was also a director of stage musicals, or that he was behind the concept of Strictly all those years ago. He narrated the audiobook and this added quite a nice touch, as it made the words truly his own (though he does thank his ghost writer in the acknowledgements). From what I can tell, he seems like a nice chap - quite dissimilar to his TV persona and the book felt quite frank and honest. Overall a pleasant surprise of a book which kept me very entertained whilst listening to it. I do think you'd need to be a fan of Craig or Strictly to fully appreciate this book though, as otherwise a lot of it would be meaningless to you!

[Val Asker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting account of Craig Revel Horwood’s life. I like the way it was constructed with chapters on different aspects of his life. I hadn’t realised how busy his working life is, not only as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing but also as a performer and choreographer. No wonder he’s had both hips replaced! I didn’t know much about his family in Australia either so I found these chapters particularly interesting. I felt he gave an honest account of what was obviously a difficult relationship with his father. I did watch the episode of Who Do You Think You Are? that Craig appeared in but it was fascinating to hear about the filming process. And the chapter about Madame Tussaud’s was very revealing.

All in all an excellent read which has left me feeling great respect for how hard he works. I’m pleased he has found happiness in his personal life as well.

[Claudia · Rating 2 out of 5]

To paraphrase Mr Horwood I found this ... Dull, Dull, Dull, and it disappoints me to say that because I absolutely adore him.
He claims not to care about his ex, yet the bitterness he obviously feels towards him is easy to see.
I love that he talks about his family a lot, which gives an insight into who he is, however, I didn't like how he comes across as lording it over them. Good for him he has money and can afford to buy a suit here, or hat there, but I really don't think it necessary to tell the world about it. I don't really think it fair on his family.
Maybe I expected too much, or maybe I just kept hoping for more. I'm glad I borrowed it from the library; I would have hated to waste money on it.

[Nikita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Craig gives a wonderful glimpse into his life from strictly to pantos as well as an insight into his personal life. The book felt like he allowed himself a level of privacy while, at the same time, allowing the reader to peek into how he truly is compared to how he is portrayed. As a non-reader of previous books he has written, it felt like a catch up with a friend without going into too much detail and a full timeline of his life. This allowed the book to be either a stand alone piece of a quick rundown of what Craig has been up to lately with hints of his past or intrigues the reader to purchase his previous books for a deeper context to parts he brushes over. Overall, an enjoyable read!

[susan mcdonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous

I loved this book. I've laughed and cried all the way through it. Craig would be the friend everyone wants. I know I would love to have him as a friend. He has survived so much through his eventful life and come out smiling,laughing and dancing. You have such a joy in life. I love this book and couldn't put it down.

[Celyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. I made the mistake of reading this before his others, which I wouldn’t particularly recommend. But it’s great. Definitely made me want to read his precious books so I’d call it a success. He writes exactly as you’d expect, so it does feel like his voice which I love. Plus he’s just an icon. Great people are born on January 4th is all I’ll say

[cheryl Duffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

I would highly recommend this book to any strictly fan. It gives you a truthful look into the world of a fabulous strictly judge, the amazing adventures that craig has and what he is like away from all the cameras and theatre. Well worth the money.

[Karen Pratt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Want to give this book 3.5 stars!
In category of my book club - biography or autobiography.
Enjoyed the book - as if Craig RH was actually reading the book to me. Very interesting in understanding what his true personality is like and how hard he works. Would now like to read his earlier books.

[Kim Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read, light hearted stuff, nothing explosive, I felt he only let us into his life a little bit. Which was a shame, it didn't feel personal to me , more a factual guarded account of his life.

[Kasturi Pillay · Rating 5 out of 5]

In strictest confidence

I Really enjoying this book I found it interesting it was nice to read about Craig life as I enjoy watching him as a judge on strictly it was nice to read about his family the good and bad times he had and how far he has come

[Haley The Caffeinated Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly had a lot of fun reading this. You just read it in his voice the whole time and he seems so up front about things. I got to as a Christmas present and I hope to read his other two now!

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, read all 3 books and it's amazing what this man has done over the years and the talent is has.

[Sylvia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably 2.5 stars. I love Craig on Strictly but can't say the book was massively exciting to be honest.

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Absolutely brilliant. So funny yet endearing. Definitely worth a read. I am going to have to read the rest of his life.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because I was challenged to read a celebrity memoir and I love strictly. It was a very easy read and quite interesting but not riveting.

[Sara Eames · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A nice, easy read for fans of CRH

[Chel O Neill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable

[Theresa Dudley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. it was OK. rather manic in places

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice easy read.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice easy read.

I like Strictly, but I’m by no means a super fan so I didn’t know a huge amount about Craig Revel Horwood, I didn’t even realise his name wasn’t double-barrelled!

It was a light read, funny, engaging, and detailed without being boring me, myself and I.

There was a good chunk about Strictly, but entwined with lots about his life on stage and at home. A really good mix.