Top 90 Quotes & Sayings by Craig Revel Horwood

Villains are far more interesting to play than nice people.

My relationship with my dad was complex, especially when I came out. The years of verbal abuse, all of it drink-fuelled, were difficult. Later, though, he came to see me on stage in 'La Cage aux Folles' - one of his favourite shows - and loved it. Theatre won him over and he accepted me in the end.

Actors are very emotional, whereas sports people are used to criticism.

I always say the most important thing is the ability to act, then sing, then dance - in that order.

I'm not saying the persona on 'Strictly' isn't me - it's just that the nurturing side, which is also a part of who I am, isn't what I'm there for. I'm there to judge and to give an honest opinion, even if it's not the opinion someone wants to hear.

My signature dish is seafood lasagne - massive king prawns, smoked haddock, cod and a white sauce.

I love my bike, a hybrid Matrix Express, which is fast, cheap, easy to park and good exercise.

My tights split while I was tap dancing in the West End in 1993.

It's important to me that people don't go spouting off about anything in your life.

I chose when I was 30 to change my life entirely and become a director and sit in the dark and that's what I love doing.

When you take on an acting or dancing role, you have to trust your director, and in some ways there is freedom in relinquishing control.

When I was opening my first bank account, the person at the counter thought I was a girl.

X Factor' creates a Christmas single that puts money in other people's pockets. Whereas 'Strictly''s not out to do that, at all. That's why I stand up for it - it isn't car-crash television.

The problem is most people in the world can't take criticism.

If I was to pretend my father didn't exist and I didn't have anything to remember him by, then it wouldn't be healthy.

As a dancer, you go from one show to the next, and you never know where your next pound is coming from, and I think that's what makes me say yes to so many things, because there's always a fear that you won't have a job.

You are under great scrutiny when you are adopting, more so than natural parents. There are a lot of interviews, screenings etc.

I did not expect to become a celebrity or be known by the public at all.

I like stuff like Joy Division and Verdi, and then some naff stuff.

When I'm in a relationship I'm monogamous.

I love my sporty but classic brown leather Picard satchel.

Strictly' is Saturday night fun. The pay's not amazing.

I think women should be paid the same as men. That's for sure. But what would you say to a woman coming in after you've been in the job for 15 years when they've done absolutely nothing to earn it? I don't think that's right.

I'm tongue in cheek, but very much to the point.

I had long eyelashes and the other kids used to say I wore mascara.

I like getting blotto at parties but I also like being sober and I hate the hangover.

I've got an iPod, of course. I'm all Mac'd up!

I feel as though I'm constantly defending myself. I'm up against challengers from the ballroom world, from the dance world, people on the couch who hate what I'm saying about their favourite celebrity. Then you're up against the press, who will always want to put you in a box.

Anything people say about me I don't care. I really don't care. You read so much terrible stuff about yourself it sort of just ends up washing over.

Freddie Mercury made a lot of sense to me even though I didn't understand the lyrics.

I direct as many shows as I can fit in between 'Strictly Come Dancing' and other performance stuff.

I always thought I needed the support of someone in a long-term relationship to make me whole.

Sports men and women need hip replacements. It was all those years of classical ballet and forcing turn-outs. It can be quite detrimental to your body.

If I have to do my tax online, the government should pay for my Internet hook-up, darling.

Lots of celebrities have had some sort of dance training, especially actors or singers - they have to have some movement skill and be trained physically.

I've learnt not to expect a lot from supermodels - we've had them on 'Strictly' before and they've been horrendous.

I like working with directors I respect, who give me freedom but also give me a good base from which to work.

If you really have a passion for something, you should follow it and listen to your inner voice.

I once called EastEnders' Patsy Palmer 'a scrubber in a Puffa jacket who cries all the time' on 'Strictly.' She said I wasn't actually a dancer. That wasn't my finest moment.

How many dancers in their life get a job that will last 15 years? Not many.

Strictly' has evolved - there are such beautiful stories within each dance. We're not doing a ballroom and Latin competition, it's an entertainment show.

Friendly Fires were dull, and I wouldn't really sit down and listen to Hot Chip.

The colour of someone's skin doesn't explain anything.

I don't want a splashy magazine wedding with celebrities.

My ears are too big.

Yes I've had my nose done.

My advice gets misconstrued as being mean.

I like telling people the truth.

I've battled food issues since my late teens.

I like committed, one-on-one relationships. That's just who I am.

I was quite chubby, so when I started dancing professionally I had to work hard to stay slim.

Strictly' is the most successful reality format in the world - it's in the 'Guinness Book of Records' - going to 38 countries. 'X Factor' hasn't done that.

I like fresh, crisp, cool, plain white cotton sheets from Calvin Klein.

Street dance resonates for teenagers. It's inclusive and brings in different audiences.

I was short and fat as a child.

There can be dramas in your life and you can get over them and become someone. You don't have to wallow in self-pity; you can actually use the experiences in your life to push yourself further and help others.

I used to go to clubs and sing as myself but people weren't interested. And then I turned up as a woman and suddenly everyone was interested.

I was bullied mercilessly through school for my weight problem.

I hated sport, but at 13, I went to an aerobics class and the teacher thought I had natural rhythm. She suggested formal dance classes, and that's when I finally found something I was really good at.

The X Factor' - I watch it because I'm always searching for talent to use in my musicals, so they do all the groundwork for me.