Craig Revel-Horwood’s mum wants to give him away when he marries Tinder lover
EXCLUSIVE: In her first every newspaper interview, Beverly Horwood tells the Sunday Mirror says her Strictly Come Dancing judge son’s love has her seal of approval
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Craig Revel Horwood may be known for his withering put-downs on Strictly – but his mum insists he’s simply “fab-u-lous”.
And she can’t wait to waltz him down the aisle, if he gives her the chance.
In her first newspaper interview, Beverley Horwood says she has given Craig’s fiancé Jonathan Myring, 35, the seal of approval.
And she couldn’t be more complimentary about gardener Jonathan, who is 20 years Craig’s junior.
The pair, who met on Tinder two years ago, got engaged earlier this year and are planning to tie the knot in 2022.
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Speaking from her home in Victoria, Australia, Beverley says: “They are both very different people, but they are both very kind and loving.
“I haven’t been asked whether I will be walking him down the aisle yet, but I would love to. I feel like I have really got to know Jonathan from the trips they’ve made to Australia, and I love him.”
Strictly judge Craig, 55, is renowned for his cutting remarks.
He compared Countdown star Rachel Riley to a slug, and told singer Heather Small that the best thing about her dancing was “the end”.
But while Beverley admits his Mr Nasty persona “did take a bit of getting used to”, she says: “He’s just honest. He’d never sugar-coat anything – although sometimes I think he does go over and above.”
Beverley, who has worked with theatre and dance groups in Australia for more than 30 years, says she had no idea her “quiet and gentle” son would follow in her footsteps.
But she admits that when Craig judged the Australian version of Strictly – called Dancing with the Stars – it felt a little too close to home.
In one of his blistering put-downs, he compared stand-up comedian Denise Scott to the Hunchback of Notre Dame.
“I was worried I might have to leave town,” Beverley jokes.
“British humour can be very different from over here and I was worried about what the reaction to him would be. But he went down really well.
“Denise seemed to find his comment funny. She quipped back, ‘You try having these size breasts and getting your leg up!’ She gave as good as she got.
“I think it’s all part of what makes the show get such good ratings.”
Last year, Beverley won an award for her outstanding contribution to the arts in her home city of Ballarat, where Craig grew up.
She also has OAM at the end of her name (Order of Australian Medal) – equivalent to an OBE here.
She tells how, as a boy, Craig was always more interested in musical theatre.
“He didn’t start dancing until his late teens,” she says. “Before that, he had been in a marching band and the orchestra, so he always loved performing.
“He forgets his mother was a dancer. He’s never critiqued my dancing though.”
Beverley has been single for 20 years, ever since her split from Craig’s dad Philip, a former lieutenant in the Royal Australian Navy and a heavy drinker, who died in 2015.
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