Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood is mourning the loss of his father. According to the Sun, Craig's dad Phil passed away from cancer on Monday 22 December – just two days after Craig was seen judging the 2015 Strictly final.Father and son had a difficult relationship, with dance star Craig branding the former Royal Australian Navy Lieutenant "the most unconventional dad we could’ve ever had" in his 2008 autobiography All Balls And Glitter. He also revealed in the book that Phil had contracted skin cancer because he had gone through his 20-year career in the Navy "without using any sort of sun cream".
© Photo: Getty ImagesCraig Revel Horwood is mourning the death of his father Phil
Craig described his father as "quite abusive" and spoke candidly about how his alcoholism had torn their family apart. He also revealed that Phil – who struggled to come to terms with the fact that his son was gay – had to spend time in both rehab and jail.However, 50-year-old Craig stated that he believed his father "loves his family very much" despite having a “twisted way of showing it”, adding that he "lives in his own private hell".
© Photo: RexCraig pictured alonsgide his Strictly Come Dancing co-judges
Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2008, Craig said: "My dad can be the nicest, most charming man, but when he drinks that person disappears. I am still on speaking terms with him and I still love him, but we all have to accept that he's chosen alcohol."Phil – who continued to live in Craig's native Australia – spoke to the Sunday People that same year. "I know I was not the best dad to Craig when he was small," he said. "But I now want the world to know how proud I am of him."
