Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has recounted a harrowing experience during a recent holiday in Spain, revealing he was stabbed and subjected to a strip search while attempting to leave the country. The 61-year-old performer shared the unsettling details of the incident on his podcast, Judgemental, co-hosted with fellow judge Anton Du Beke.
A Night to Forget
Revel Horwood’s holiday took a dangerous turn in Madrid when he fell victim to a violent attack. He described the incident as a “stabbing” that not only left him with physical scars but also resulted in the theft of his jewellery.
“I went on holiday in Madrid and got stabbed, that was nice, and it was stinking hot,” he recalled, noting that the assailants ripped a necklace from his neck, leaving behind a significant burn mark. “It was a razor blade… I was slashed in the stomach coming home from a club; it was probably two o’clock in the morning, but that’s sort of normal, you go out for dinner at 10 or 11.”
In a vivid recollection, Revel Horwood shared how the enjoyable evening ended abruptly, transforming into a traumatic experience.
Strip-Search Surprises
Following the attack, the ordeal did not end for Revel Horwood. Upon returning to the airport, he faced an unexpected strip search by French authorities, who were reportedly looking for illicit substances.
“I hadn’t shaved, so I did look a bit of a wreck,” he admitted. “I’d been stabbed, I had burn marks all around my neck from where I was, like, attacked.” His stark description of being searched “down to literally nothing” paints a picture of a distressing end to what should have been a relaxing getaway.
Further Misadventures
Revel Horwood’s holiday misfortunes didn’t stop with the Madrid incident. He also recounted an equally unsettling experience during a trip to Mombasa, Kenya. Upon arrival at the airport, he discovered that the hotel where he had made reservations had burned down.
“I remember flying to Mombasa in Kenya. It was all fabulous, I thought, ‘oh yeah, I’m going on safari, that’s going to be nice’,” he reminisced. However, the excitement quickly faded when he learned that the hotel had been reduced to ashes. “They found us another one, they just shoved us in there,” he continued, trying to maintain a sense of humour about the situation.
The following day, another crisis unfolded at the airport as members of his group began fainting one by one. Revel Horwood later learned that the cause was salmonella poisoning from contaminated chicken consumed the night before.
Anticipation for Strictly Come Dancing
Amidst the chaos of his travels, Revel Horwood remains focused on his role as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing, with the new series set to air on BBC One and iPlayer this September. His experiences serve as a reminder that even the most glamorous of lives can be punctuated by unexpected challenges.
Why it Matters
Craig Revel Horwood’s revelations highlight the often-unseen risks associated with travel, even for those in the public eye. His story serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of life, encouraging us to be vigilant and prepared, regardless of where our journeys may take us. As he prepares for the new season of Strictly, his experiences underscore the resilience required to overcome adversity, both personally and professionally.
