Craig Revel Horwood is to undergo a second hip replacement operation.

Craig Revel Horwood

Craig Revel Horwood

The 53-year-old dancer - who is best known for his appearances on 'Strictly Come Dancing' - is to go under the knife for a second time in a bid to alleviate the excruciating pain he's been experiencing "on a daily basis".

A spokesperson for the star told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "He is indeed having his second hip replacement operation this week."

Craig - who first went under the knife back in 2013 - has delayed surgery until he returned home from a P&O 'Strictly Come Dancing'-themed cruise last week.

The outspoken TV star has been experiencing pain in his hip since last summer, but Craig opted against having immediate surgery because he knew he'd risk missing the most recent series of the BBC show.

He explained: "It's just uncomfortable at the moment. It's got worse. Some days I limp, but some days I'm fine."

Craig underwent his first hip replacement after an X-ray revealed he had developed severe osteoarthritis, which is the most common form of arthritis.

The Australian-born star - whose family has a history of arthritis and osteoporosis - subsequently admitted that years of pushing his body in the dance studio had finally taken its toll.

He said: "It's all those years of can-cans and dropping the splits. Classical ballet can be quite detrimental to your body."

Despite this, Craig is set to reprise his role as Strictly's fiercest judge when the show returns to TV screens later this year.