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Craig Revel Horwood admits finishing the 70 per cent bottle of whiskey that killed his father

The Strictly judge said he, and his sister, finished the whiskey for 'some macabre reason'

CRAIG Revel Horwood revealed he drank the 70 per cent homemade bourbon that killed his dad.

The Strictly judge said he, and his sister, finished the whiskey for "some macabre reason".

 Craig Revel Horwood reveals he tasted the whiskey which killed his dad in 2015
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Craig Revel Horwood reveals he tasted the whiskey which killed his dad in 2015Credit: Getty Images - Getty

His dad Philip, an ex Royal Australian Navy lieutenant, died with 400mg of alcohol per 100ml in his blood.

The 74-year-old was more than five times over the UK drink-driving limit.

Craig, 53, told the, that he tasted the booze after flying to Oz to clear out his dad's house.

He said: "A well-meaning neighbour gave him a batch as an early Christmas present and for some reason we will never understand, he decided to crack it open that weekend.

 His dad Philip  died with five-times the UK limit of booze in his blood stream
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His dad Philip  died with five-times the UK limit of booze in his blood streamCredit: www.thegenealogist.co.uk
 His father Philip, Sue, his wife Jane, Craig Revel Horwood, Brother in law David and niece Izzi Craig Revel Horwood and wife Jane on their wedding day in August 1990
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His father Philip, Sue, his wife Jane, Craig Revel Horwood, Brother in law David and niece Izzi Craig Revel Horwood and wife Jane on their wedding day in August 1990

"Being a beer-only alcoholic, this was unusual behaviour.

"For some macabre reason, my sister Sue kept the bottle with a tiny drop that was left and we tasted it when I was home."

Craig used his dad's inheritance money to build a wine cellar which he says, despite being stocked with booze, is a constant reminder not to slip into alcoholism.

Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli have a hilarious cat fight during Strictly's Movie Week
 Craig with his Strictly co-judges
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Craig with his Strictly co-judgesCredit: Getty Images - Getty

He added: "I wanted to do something that would pay homage to my father and remind me that if you drink too much, or if you drank that whole fridge, you would be dead.

“The drink killed him. It’s a constant reminder that one should consider alcohol and what you drink.”

He also revealed a plaque on a bench dedicated to his dad and featuring his morning mantra: "Heave ho, heave ho, heave ho, lash up and stow".

Craig added: "When I sit on that bench it reminds me he was a human being with desperately dark problems.

"Only other people who have been through it could possibly understand there is a nice side to alcoholics."

He also discussed his "marriage made in heaven" to horticulturist partner Jonathan and their desire to adopt.

Strictly's Craig Revel Horwood shows off his hip action


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