Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood may be known as TV’s Mr Nasty, and his performance on stage in Annie shows that he can be villainous on the stage too.

A gentleman in real life, he is truly terrifying and virtually unrecognisable in drag as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan.

Craig says that he loves the challenge.

“I love it. She’s an alcoholic man-hater who hates children. So what could be better?” he said.

“I love playing villains. I think the TV personality has set me in good stead.”

He added: “She’s a poor old soul, really, and I’m playing her for complete real. It’s a different sort of play.”

 

 

 

The musical, directed by Nikolai Foster, features all the classic songs that audiences love, including ‘Hard Knock Life’ and ‘Tomorrow’, but also displays a new take on the well-loved story.

Craig said: “It’s a new interpretation but based on the original Annie. It’s set in a jigsaw puzzle and it’s the pieces of Annie’s life coming together one by one.

“It’s a really unusual take on it. There’s a lot for people to enjoy and a lot for people to see and it’s quite different from me. Most people don’t know I can sing and act.”

While Craig continues his judging duties on Strictly Come Dancing, actress Lesley Joseph will be standing in as Miss Hannigan on Saturday evenings.

Speaking before the start of the current series, Craig proved eerily prescient - labelling singer and reality star Peter Andre and actress Helen George as the ones to watch, and he thinks that celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott will “bring a lot of personality to the space.”

Annie is at New Wimbledon Theatre from November 10 to 14 and Dartford’s Orchard Theatre – without Craig – from January 25 to 30. Go to anniethemusicaltour.uk