Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has spoken out after rumours that he would be leaving the popular BBC programme.

Speaking about the reported departure, the star insisted that he would be going nowhere and would remain on the panel alongside Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse.

He went on to brand the rumours as "vicious" as he spoke about the matter on Lorraine earlier this week.

Craig Revel Horwood slams 'vicious' rumours he is leaving Strictly Come Dancing

When asked by Big Brother legend Kate Lawler about whether or not he would be returning to the BBC show, he said: "I’m definitely coming back. Don’t believe any of those vicious rumours, no, no, no."

This comes as Craig Revel Horwood, who is currently playing the Wicked Stepmother in a pantomime production of Cinderella, revealed that he would be stepping away from judge performances on Strictly Come Dancing.

He explained: "I might hang up my dancing shoes just on the stage and go towards direction but that’s about it."

Fans were quick to express how happy they were at the news that the judge would be remaining in the show for the foreseeable future.

One fan said: "We have confirmation! He’s on Strictly next year."

Another fan added: "Yes, boom."

Previously, he clapped back at 'trolls' who were angered by his decision to give Layton Williams and Nikita Kumzin a 10 while only giving 2023 winners Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola a 9.

In one of his responses to viewers, he said: "Isn’t it wonderful you had the power then PeterPumpkin?"

To another user, who said: "Biased on every level Ellie learned from scratch Layton was already dance trained," he retorted: "Not true Pamela get your facts straight darling."

Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One for a Christmas special from 4:40pm on Christmas Day.