Strictly Come Dancing judge signs up to online dating website after split but says matches just want one thing

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has signed up to a dating site as he seeks his own partner.

The 52-year-old is looking for love following his split from boyfriend Damon Scott last year.

But despite using his real name and photo on his profile he admits he has only had one date since joining match.com – and all his matches seem to be interested in is hearing gossip about his hit BBC show.

Craig said: "It's not going particularly well. People don't ask if I want to go out, it's all about Strictly.

"It's odd me being on there but why can't I, if everyone else is? Just because I'm in the public eye doesn't mean I can't be on dating sites.

"My niece married her Tinder date so it does work for some people. And people are vetted online. They have to have a credit card!

"You know their likes and dislikes, you know a lot more than you would do if you picked them up in a bar."

The star agreed to one date with a mystery man who took him to a restaurant in London's West End. They had fun but there was no spark.

And a lot of the approaches he has had were from men who feared someone has stolen his identity.

Craig said: "I've had a lot of complaints. A lot of people think I'm someone else masquerading as me.

"One said, 'I'm reporting you for using someone else's photo, it's disgusting, you should be ashamed'. I replied, 'I am me!'. It's funny."

Craig said his three-year union with Damon, 37, ended because of his packed schedule – but Damon claimed they split because Craig had a drink problem.

The allegation, which Craig denies, hurt all the more as he had just lost his dad Phil to alcoholism.

The 74-year-old had a lifelong battle with booze and died of blood poisoning after downing homebrew rum.

Craig said: "No matter how much you think you might love someone, you can't rely on them. It just makes you a little bit more vigilant. I sort of felt sorry for Damon in a way."

Craig missed Phil's funeral because showbiz commitments meant he could not travel to his native Australia. But he made a pilgrimage to the grave during a visit this year and feels like he has made peace.

He said: "I did what he would have loved. I planted radishes on his grave. He loved radishes. It was peaceful. He's now without the alcohol, without the pain, without the torment."

We met in Craig's West End dressing room, where he is transforming into drunken orphanage mistress Miss Hannigan to star in musical Annie.

He took over from comedian Miranda Hart and will play the role until the end of November.

He does his own make-up, from the false eyelashes to the pillarbox-red lipstick.

"I try to vamp her up, though I don't know if the photos suggest that."

And Craig reveals he drew on childhood experiences for the part, adding: "Miss Hannigan is surrounded by misbehaving children she can't control and then has to retire to her room and drink gin all the time. She is looking for love but she turns to drink because she hasn't got anything else in her life.

"Alcoholism is a disease and she's got that, she can't deal with the day without it.

"I can relate to her. That's what my father was like, he was an unreasonable alcoholic. But she doesn't go as far as him. She verbally abuses the kids but she doesn't rough them up."

Craig can sometimes be found in the pub, unwinding with a glass of bubbly after the curtain has fallen. But his dad's addiction means he knows his limits.

He said: "Children of alcoholics have to be so careful because they can turn into an alcoholics without even realising it. It's in our genes. In this industry, everything is an opening night and the first thing that goes in your hand is a glass of champagne."

Craig spends most of his free time watching telly and having his nails done instead of partying. Not that he has much, juggling Annie with Strictly and choreography commitments.

In real life, Craig is far more amiable than his Mr Nasty Strictly persona. He says he cried when learned of Strictly host Bruce Forsyth's death.

Craig said: "He wasn't just a colleague, he was a friend, someone I knew and loved. I'm a human being, I have emotions. I don't seem to on Strictly but of course I do."

Predictably, Craig has strong opinions on this year's Strictly celebs, many of whom turned up to support him on his first night as Miss Hannigan on Monday, along with new judge Shirley Ballas .

He said: "My favourite from last week has to be Alexandra Burke. Debbie McGee is amazing and Aston Merrygold is phenomenal. It was sad that Chizzy went out last week. I was looking forward to seeing what she had to offer.

"The Reverend is not much cop and Brian Conley needs a good looking at. And Charlotte Hawkins needs help."

Craig adds that he has bonded with Shirley since she replaced Len Goodman, adding: "I love her judging style. She says it like it is, she's a bit like me – except she takes longer to say it."

But will Craig still be the biggest bitch? "Yes. Definitely!"