Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has revealed that he was once a £100-an-hour rent boy.

The dancer and professional choreographer has decided to write openly about his past in his new autobiography, All Balls and Glitter: My Life.

"I feel it's a part of my life that is very important I'm honest about," Craig told the News of the World.

A source close to the TV star revealed: "He has many fans in the UK who value his honesty, so he has decided not leave anything out of the book. He's not embarrassed about his past - it made him the man he is today."

Horwood turned to prostitution when he was 17 and lived in a small town in his home country of Australia. He also made money by appearing as a drag queen in gay bars and clubs.

The source added: "Craig had big dreams and knew his passion was dancing. But he was surrounded by people with small-town mentalities, and had no money and no way to get out of town.

"He was dancing and performing in amateur theatre but his dad, who was in the navy, wasn't supportive at all. So he became a rent boy to get the cash to leave. It was not a decision he made lightly but he knew exactly what he was doing."

Horwood will return to screens on Strictly's sixth series in the autumn.