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Strictly Come Dancing: Judges reveal their deepest, darkest secrets





They can make the Strictly contestants feel like they're floating on air - or reduce them to tears.

So to give them a taste of their own medicine, we made the judges dance to our tune by getting them to spill the beans on each other's deepest, darkest secrets.

Here Arlene Phillips, Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Len Goodman talk sex, crushes and, er, swinging pants...

Who would you pick as the one dance partner for the rest of your life?

Craig: My boyfriend Grant as he's a perfect height for me and we don't argue.

Arlene: Mark Ramprakash because I could do all the talking and I could tell him to just keep dancing.

Len: My wonderful girlfriend Sue. She's a dancer and the Strictly schedule can be so hectic it feels like we never have enough time to dance together. And I wouldn't mind a twirl with Kristina Rihanoff.

Bruno: MGM dance diva Cyd Charisse - the most beautiful dancer ever seen on the silver screen.

Tell us a secret about one of the other judges

CRAIG: Len likes swinging knickers above his head while doing a Cha Cha Cha.

Arlene: Bruno's a really good artist.

Len: Arlene looks glamorous on her top half but beneath the judges' table she wears jeans.

Bruno: Len's a great ironer. He has the crispest shirts since Beau Brummell.

Who would be your dream celebrity to have on the show?

Craig: Sharon Osbourne.

Arlene: Doctor Who - David Tennant. He's very sexy, but in a quirky way.

Len: I'd like the judges from X Factor on and I would like us to go on X Factor and sing.

Bruno: David Beckham.

Which judge are you most pleased to see each week?

Craig: Arlene as we generally see eye to eye. Well, more so than the others.

Arlene: Bruno. We've been friends for so long and shared so much - and I love to gossip with him.

Len: Bruno, we've spent so much time together flying between England and America for Dancing with the Stars that it feels odd now if we go a few days without seeing each other.

Bruno: Apart from Len, who I now feel married to, Arlene - she's the most informed person in the industry.

Does being a good dancer really mean you're good in bed?

Craig: Most definitely!

Arlene: Not always. I was with a brilliant dancer but his bed skills didn't match up and I've been with non dancers and, WOW!

Len: A gentleman never tells.

Bruno: I've never had any complaints!

Which of the professional dancers gives you the most joy to watch?

Craig: Brian Fortuna - he's got great eyes, his moves are slick, and he's the new boy on the block.

Arlene: I love watching Flavia Cacace. Every move she makes is like a line of a poem. She is strong and sexy, with the most amazing ribs.

Len: Brendan Cole, but don't tell him I said so as it'd go to his head.

Bruno: Brendan is very passionate. When he gets it right he's a star.

What does each judge bring to the Strictly panel?

Craig: A lot of experience.

Arlene: Len brings technical expertise with a good line in comedy. Craig brings fierce criticism that's spoken fearlessly. Bruno brings passion - spoken so quickly one has to concentrate to understand.

Len: Craig brings the criticism, Bruno the passion and Arlene keeps us men all in line.

Bruno: Craig is the Panto Dame, Arlene is not as mean as you think, and Len is a real Ballroom gent.

Do you have a secret Strictly crush?

(from any of the series) CRAIG: Still Gethin Jones for me.

Arlene: Mark Ramprakash.

Len: I thought Cherie Lunghi was very elegant...

Bruno: No. I just get on with my job and don't mix business with pleasure.

Sum yourself up in three words...

Craig: Dull dull dull.

Arlene: Tough, tender and tireless.

Len: Boy done good.



Bruno: Passionate, honest and adventurous.

Which animal are you most like and why?

Craig: There's no animal glamorous enough.

Arlene: I am most like a Manchester Terrier - my bark is worse than my bite.

Len: A cat, because I always like to be well-groomed.

Bruno: A snow leopard - absolutely stunning to look at, rare and elusive.

Brendan Cole has been tamed. Do you miss the bad boy?

Craig: Yes, bring the bad boy back this version's dull.

Arlene: Brendan appears to have been tamed, but I believe the "bad boy" is still there, he's just resting for a moment.

Len: No it's good that he realises it's more of a team effort. When dancers get a high profile they can think they're bigger than the show.

Bruno: Not at all - the bad boy is still lurking in there.

Which reality TV show would you like to be on?

Craig: I'm A Celebrity, then I could see my folks in Oz.

Arlene: Hell's Kitchen. I'm such a hopeless cook I'd be out in week one and I could get back to work.

Len: None, I've changed my mind about X Factor. The nation doesn't need to hear me sing.

Bruno: X Factor!

Who is in danger this Saturday?

Craig: Lisa Snowdon because she's been in the bottom two a couple of times.

Arlene: All the couples are in danger on Strictly this week, as they have to perform two dances with so little time to prepare them. It could be any one of them who goes.

Len: All of them. Early on in the competition it's easy to pick out the no-hopers, but in the final stages it's much more competitive Austin Healey and Tom Chambers have probably been the best contestants throughout this series - and most people think that they'll automatically be in the final. But it only takes one duff step tonight and they could be out of the show.

Bruno: All it takes is one bad dance and any of them could leave. They are all in danger.

Which X Factor judge would you like to steal for Strictly and why?

Craig: Cheryl Cole because Strictly judges don't cry and never would. She could then be the one to feel sorry for all the contestants.

Arlene: Simon. He knows NOTHING about dancing and I'd like to teach him.

Len: Getting Simon Cowell would be a coup, and I love Cheryl, but Louis Walsh would be brilliant on Strictly. He's funny and I don't think he'd take it all too seriously.

Bruno: Cheryl Cole, I know her and she's such fun.

If you danced one last dance, what would it be and why?

Craig: Rumba, the dance of love - for obvious reasons.

Arlene: The Argentine tango with Vincent Simone. Then you could lie down and imagine you're in heaven.

Len: If I had to choose just one it would have to be the tango. It's technically challenging, but the most fun when you get it right.

Bruno: Any of the Latin dances - they suit my personality. But I would have to be filmed so I could retake and retake until it was right.

Mark your fellow judges out of 10 for the series...

Craig: All 10, naturally.

Arlene: I would give Len a 7 because I love the way he says it. Craig a 1 so that he knows what it feels like, and Bruno a 10 - just to hear him scream.

Len: Seveeeeen!

Bruno: I would give Craig a 1 for his low scoring, Len a 10 for his great story-telling, and Arlene a 10 for her boobs.

Which of you Strictly judges would win a drinking competition?

Craig: Me by far.

Arlene: Get the cocktails out and let's see.

Len: Definitely Craig.

Bruno: Yes, Craig, Craig, Craig - he can drink for Australia.

What should be written on your gravestone?

Craig: Dull dull dull.

Arlene: Strictly a life of dance.

Len: Conked out - and missing my mates!

Bruno: Thank you for the music.
Mirror