Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood says his experience winning celebrity conducting competition Maestro could make him even "tougher" on the contestants in the ballroom show.

The star, who beat mathematician Marcus du Sautoy in the finale of the BBC Two show, said he had "no concept" of how difficult it was going to be to pick up the baton. He said: "Oh my God it was horrendously difficult. I thought it was going to be virtually impossible to become a conductor in such a short space of time."

Eighties heartthrob Jason Donovan has been signed up as a judge for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s TV search for the lead in Jesus Christ Superstar.

Jason — famed for his West End stint in Joseph And The Technicolor Dreamcoat — will be joined on the panel of ITV1’s Superstar by Lord Lloyd-Webber and, as TV Biz revealed, Dawn French.

Strictly winner Harry Judd has got engaged to his girlfriend Izzy Johnston, telling fans: "I liked it, so I put a ring on it." The McFly drummer, 26, announced the happy news this afternoon by posting on Twitter: "Couldn't be happier! My beautiful @izzyeyesalight and I are engaged! Thank you to @rendezvoushotel for making it so special! xxx."

And his elated fiance, 27 — a violinist in Britain’s Got Talent group Escala — confirmed the news by saying: "So happy! My gorgeous @mcflyharry and I got engaged on the beach by candlelit dinner. I'm the luckiest girl to be marrying my best friend xx."

Brendan Cole reckons former judge Alesha Dixon will not be missed when Strictly Come Dancing returns to our screens.

And in a thinly-veiled dig at Alesha – who waltzed off the BBC1 ballroom contest for a judging spot on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent – he said ballerina Darcey Bussell was a “fantastic” replacement. He told TV Biz: “I saw Alesha on BGT. She did really well. However, I don’t think she will be a big miss, really.

Sir Bruce Forsyth accepted a 15 per cent pay cut to remain as the host of Strictly Come Dancing as part of a so-called “austerity” drive at the BBC two years ago.

Mandrake can disclose that the programme’s judges have, however, signed highly lucrative new deals this week, which include substantial pay increases.