Paul O'Grady has revealed that it's Craig Revel Horwood who stops him from competing in Strictly Come Dancing, because he thinks he'd end up punching the controversial and opinionated judge.

Paul O'Grady

Paul O'Grady

The television presenter is going to continue steering clear from starring on the BBC One dancing competition, as he fears being criticised after intense training could cause him to attack.

He said: "I have mates that have done it, big healthy fellas have gone in and they've come out complete wrecks.

"If I had done eight hours a day for five days and nearly killed myself and Craig Revel Horwood said, 'Well, frankly darling...', I'd smash his face in."

The 'The Paul O'Grady Show' star - who is currently working on a new period drama with Celia Imrie and former 'EastEnders' actress Pam St Clement - also slammed ITV's hit show 'Broadchurch' and claims companies are too worried about money when it comes to creating drama series.

He told The Sun newspaper: "When it comes to the telly it's getting the networks off coppers in macs up north. Broadchurch? I didn't have a clue what it was about and you could have done it in two episodes.

"I think that they are scared of period dramas because it's about money. The first thing they say is 'It's too expensive.'"