Strictly Come Dancing 2018: Star accidentally CONFIRMS new line-up amid judge revelation

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood announced he will be returning to the judging panel alongside last year’s judges Shirley Ballas, Darcey Bussell and Bruno Tonioli.

When asked if the same judges will be back, he exclusively told Express.co.uk: “Yes same judges. Shirley is back with us, which will be great.

“Bruno is back and being more Italian than ever. And of course the fabulous Darcey Bussell.

“I think it is a great team and it was really good last year, I can’t wait to get back into it.”

A BBC Strictly spokesperson said: “The full judges line-up will be announced in due course.”

Amid confirming the judging line-up, Craig, 53, revealed why he doesn’t want to be head judge.

In 2016, veteran head judge Len Goodman, 74, left the panel and was replaced by Shirley, 57, last year.

Explaining why he didn’t want to take on the role himself, Craig added: “I don’t see myself as a mediator.

“The role as head judge... you have to be the mediator and I am who I am and love the job I do.

“I wouldn’t give it up for the world. I didn’t want the responsibility, I like where I am at the moment - I think it’s good.”

Craig previously described Shirley’s critique as “frighteningly technical” during last year’s series.

Addressing his comment, he revealed: “I think she calmed down a little bit actually because no one at home could understand what she was talking about.

“The rule book is quite extensive in ballroom, well in any type of dance so I think it’s good she was technical - Len was technical as well which I think is good.”

But insisting she was a good replacement for Len, he added: "I thought Shirley was a fantastic choice as head judge.

“It’s great having a woman in that position as well because we have a very even amount of commenting which I think is fantastic.

"She also knows exactly what she is talking about and she tells people the truth and I love that I thought she was fantastic.

“She is a fantastic talker, she has a good look and is very opinionated, which I love. It’s going to be a really good year.”

Craig was recently appointed as the new PG tips Head of Taste, with tasty new brews such as the Perfect with Dairy Free and The Tasty Decaf.

After recently undergoing a second hip operation, he praised his “year’s supply of PG tips Decaf” in helping him get through the recovery period.

He said: “I’m fantastic and I’ll be back dancing in three weeks, I have been becoming very frustrated that I can’t (dance) and the amount of tea I’ve gone through I cannot tell you, so thank goodness I have a year’s supply of Decaf.

“I’m proud to advertise it really because it is a really delicious product.”