Craig Revel Horwood to play Mother Superior in new Sister Act UK‑Ireland tour

The Strictly Come Dancing judge joins the cast alongside Paul Chuckle and Zoe Birkett for a tour that opens in London and visits 12 cities.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 20 Oct 2026 06:30:38 GMT

Craig Revel Horwood, 61, will portray Mother Superior in a new UK and Ireland tour of the musical Sister Act, the outlet Standard reported on 19 October 2026.

What happened

The tour will run from September 2027 until March 2028. It opens in London before moving to Sunderland, Sheffield, Dublin, Manchester and Birmingham, with additional dates in Cardiff, Nottingham, Brighton, Belfast and Derry. The production follows the story of lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier, who hides as a nun after witnessing a crime and later revitalises the convent choir.

What the reports add

Both Standard and the Independent note that Horwood directed and choreographed the 2015 UK tour of Sister Act.
The Independent highlights that Horwood has been a Strictly Come Dancing judge for over two decades, while Standard lists his broader stage credits, including playing Munkustrap in Cats, Dance Captain in Miss Saigon and Miss Hannigan in Annie.
Standard adds that Horwood was an original cast member of Crazy For You and has received Olivier Award nominations for his choreography on Spend, Spend, Spend and My One And Only.
Both outlets mention his debut novel, Dances And Dreams On Diamond Street (2020).

What was said

Standard identified comedian Paul Chuckle, 79, as playing Monsignor O’Hara, and Pop Idol singer and West End star Zoe Birkett as Deloris.
The Independent repeated these casting details and also highlighted that the role of Mother Superior was made famous by the late Dame Maggie Smith in the 1992 film.
During a BBC Breakfast appearance, Horwood defended the new presenting trio for Strictly 2026, calling recent press comments “disgusting” and saying,
“We are putting people together and it is like a family and you have to form relationships.”

How it came about

Horwood’s involvement links to his long‑standing relationship with the musical, having directed its 2015 tour, and his parallel career as Strictly Come Dancing’s longest‑serving judge (since 2004). His recent defence of the show’s new presenting trio was noted in the Independent article. The new Sister Act tour expands his theatrical portfolio alongside his television commitments.

Key facts

Craig Revel Horwood will play Mother Superior in a Sister Act UK‑Ireland tour. (standard.co.uk)
The tour runs from September 2027 to March 2028, visiting 12 cities. (standard.co.uk)
Paul Chuckle is cast as Monsignor O’Hara and Zoe Birkett as Deloris. (standard.co.uk)
Horwood previously directed and choreographed the 2015 UK tour of Sister Act. (independent.co.uk)