In a shocking revelation, Craig Revel Horwood, the beloved judge from BBC’s *Strictly Come Dancing*, has shared a terrifying holiday experience that saw him stabbed and strip-searched during a trip to Spain. The 61-year-old performer spoke candidly about the incident on his podcast, *Judgemental*, detailing the traumatic events that unfolded in Madrid.
A Night to Forget
During his holiday in Madrid, Revel Horwood was the victim of a violent robbery that left him with a stab wound and a significant loss of personal belongings. He recounted how, while returning from a night out, he was approached by assailants who slashed him with a razor blade and stole his jewellery, leaving him with a burn mark from where they ripped the necklace off his neck.
“It was stinking hot,” he remarked, recalling the events. “I went out for dinner late, around 10 or 11, and ended up at a club until about two in the morning. That’s just how it goes. But I never expected to come home with a scar and a horror story.”
His ordeal did not end with the attack. Once back in the UK, he faced further indignity when he was subjected to a strip search as he departed for France. “I hadn’t shaved, I looked a right mess, and I had just been attacked,” he explained. “Then I had to go through all of that, being searched for drugs. It was absurd.”
A Series of Misfortunes
But the drama didn’t stop there. Revel Horwood also recounted a disastrous trip to Mombasa, Kenya, where he discovered upon arrival that his hotel had burned down. “We paid for everything in advance, and nobody bothered to tell us what had happened,” he said, shaking his head at the memory. “They just threw us into another hotel, and I thought that was the end of it.”
However, the nightmare continued when he and his travel companions fell ill after consuming contaminated chicken during their stay. Describing the scene at the airport, Revel Horwood remembered, “People just started dropping like flies. It was chaos.” This stomach-churning experience was later confirmed to be salmonella poisoning.
The Road Ahead
Despite these distressing episodes, Revel Horwood remains undeterred. He is set to return to screens this September with the new series of *Strictly Come Dancing*, ready to judge the next wave of hopeful contestants. His resilience shines through, as he uses his platform to share not only his passion for dance but also the realities of life’s unexpected and often dangerous turns.
Why it Matters
Revel Horwood’s harrowing experiences serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of travel and the vulnerabilities that can arise in unfamiliar environments. His candidness not only highlights the need for travellers to remain vigilant but also underscores the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. As he prepares to take his place on the judging panel once more, his story resonates with anyone who has ever faced challenges outside their comfort zone, reminding us all of the importance of staying strong and moving forward.