British television personality Craig Revel Horwood has revealed that he was once stabbed and robbed during a terrifying vacation in Madrid.
The 61-year-old Strictly Come Dancing (‘Dancing With The Stars’ British Version) judge opened up about the ordeal during the August 4 episode of the Judgemental podcast, which he hosts with fellow judge Anton Du Beke.
The conversation began after Du Beke described one of his own unpleasant vacations in Spain. Revel Horwood then revealed that his experience in the country had been far more frightening.
“I went on holiday in Madrid and got stabbed,” he said. “That was nice. And it was stinking hot.”
Revel Horwood said the attacker also stole his jewelry, ripping a necklace from around his neck and leaving behind a painful burn mark.
The professional dancer explained that the attack happened at approximately 2 a.m. while he was returning home from a nightclub.
He said someone carrying a razor blade slashed him across the stomach.
“I remember I was dancing at the Lido in Paris, and we went to Madrid for a holiday, so that ended up pretty bad,” he recalled.
The nightmare did not end after the attack.
Revel Horwood said his injuries and disheveled appearance caused problems when he attempted to return to France.
“I got strip-searched,” he said. “I hadn’t shaved, so I did look a bit of a wreck. I’d been stabbed, I had burn marks all around my neck from where I was attacked.”
French authorities reportedly searched him down to nothing because they suspected he might be carrying drugs.
Revel Horwood did not reveal when the attack took place or whether the person responsible was ever identified or punished.
The West End performer also recalled another disastrous vacation involving a trip to Africa.
He said he flew to Mombasa, Kenya, expecting to enjoy a relaxing safari after paying for his hotel and transportation in advance.
However, when he arrived, he was informed that his hotel had burned down.
“The hotel was burnt down, and no one bothered to tell us until we actually arrived,” he said.
Revel Horwood was eventually placed in another hotel, but his travel problems continued during a later “romantic cruise” on the Nile River in Egypt.
He said several people became severely ill after eating spoiled chicken the previous evening.
“One by one, when we’re standing in the queue at the airport, people just were falling to the ground,” he recalled. “Literally dropping, like boom.”
The television judge’s vacation stories left little doubt that some of his most memorable trips abroad have also been among his most terrifying.