Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood reveals his ballet teacher used to 'whack' him

Craig Revel Horwood says he was “whacked with a cane” when he trained as a dancer as a “corrective measure” and is “gobsmacked” by abuse allegations surrounding Strictly Come Dancing.

The judge, 59, who has been on the show since its inception, was quizzed about the scandal during an appearance on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday. 

Never one to bite his tongue, Revel Horwood did not hold back, telling Breakfast hosts Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt: “I'm completely gobsmacked by the whole thing. 

“Of course I found out with the press because the judges are all kept separate from the contestants.

“The only time we ever see each other is when we are in passing going to the studio so you don't really get the opportunity to know what happens in the rehearsal room. It's not part of our jobs.”

Giovanni Pernice (left) and Graziano Di Prima are two of the professional dancers caught up in the Strictly scandal (PA)

A wave of complaints from past celebrity contestants have been made in recent months over claims of “abuse” and “bullying”.

Professional Graziano Di Prima, 30, was axed from the show following claims he hit and spat at his dancing partner Zara McDermott, 27, during rehearsals for last year’s series.

While Giovanni Pernice has been suspended as he awaits the results of an investigation into claims of off-camera misconduct made by Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington, 50, and two other former celebrity partners.

49-year-old Munchetty - who appeared as a contestant herself back in 2016 - probed Revel Horwood further, asking: “Have you ever thought about how you train? I mean, obviously you have danced, and that relationship....”

Revel Horwood said when he was training as a young dancer his teacher would “whack us with a cane” as a form of correction.

“I know how I was trained and it was tough,” he reflected. “I had a Russian ballet teacher who used to have a cane and she would whack us with it. Just so you're not pulling up from the thigh - doing a déboulés for instance to engage your hamstrings. 

“I mean obviously that sort of teaching wouldn't be available today. Things have changed and come a long way in 40 years since I trained.”

Stayt, 62, then asked if he was worried that the complaints would affect the programme.

Revel Horwood admitted he was but, praised show bosses for plans to implement new safe guarding measures for the upcoming 20th series.

He added: “Training everyone is different, what they learn they carry on into the training room. I think it's a good thing they are bringing people into the rehearsal rooms, they are mediators. 

“We have chaperones in the theatre all the time, especially with children and younger people. It's a good thing to have a third eye on the whole situation.”