It's behind you!



Strictly Come Dancing's favourite love-to-hate judge explores the colourful history of pantomime.





You might expect that, after twenty years performing in pantomime, Craig Revel Horwood has always been a fan, but he initially took against the genre. In The Book of Panto, he traces the moments that turned him from a sceptic to a whole-hearted fan of - and advocate for - panto, as he follows the artform's journey from its international roots to its current status as a beloved British phenomenon.





He explores the popular tropes and key characters of pantomime, talks to people working in panto - from celebrity performers to costumiers, set-designers, directors and producers - and quizzes historians of the art form. The result is a vivid portrait of a centuries-old art form that is proving more popular than ever before.



Craig Revel Horwood is an Olivier-nominated choreographer, director, singer and bestselling author. Having started his career as a dancer in the UK's biggest musicals, he is the longest-serving judge on BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing and master of the Glitter Ball. He continues to choreograph for theatre and film (including Paddington 2).