Craig Revel Horwood blasts Rishi Sunak’s comments about arts workers retraining as ‘ludicrous’
Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has called for the government to help out the arts industry amid coronavirus restrictions
Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has slammed Rishi Sunak for his advice that arts workers should retrain.
The Chancellor said those who work in this industry should consider taking other jobs and join other industries as a result of there being no work due to coronavirus restrictions.
Speaking in an interview that airs on FUBAR Radio tomorrow, Craig said “there aren’t enough jobs” out there for everyone in the entertainment industry to do this.
He said: “That’s ludicrous! Yeah retrain in what? There aren’t enough jobs out there in the first place.
“The point is I think, yeah retrain theatre people into film and television potentially because that’s where you can work because you can provide social distancing there.”
Sunak’s comments have sparked outrage both across the industry and beyond.
He said: “I can’t pretend that everyone can do exactly the same job that they were doing at the beginning of this crisis.
“That’s why we’ve put a lot of resources into trying to create new opportunities.”
Craig said he would be willing to retrain as a baker or go into the agriculture industry.
But he argued that those in the arts world aren’t getting enough support from the government.
He said: “The thirty percent thing that the government have said is not great.
“Having thirty percent of ticket sales won’t pay for the front of house staff, it won’t pay for the booking office, it won’t pay for the performers, it won’t pay for the musicians, it won’t pay for the technicians. I mean there are so many people involved.”
Craig added: “It’s a worldwide massive industry and entertainment as human beings is absolutely essential… I think it’s really important mentally, your mental stability and wellbeing in these sort of uncertain times relieves with a little bit of escapism and entertainment!”
He continued: “They’re proving that they can do that in Denmark.
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