The Strictly Come Dancing judge said he owed his success to his sugar daddy lover who he met when he was 17.
‘It was this man who was 43 and I was 17,’ he said. ‘He said I will pay for your classes but you come away with me and we do the dirty.
Craig, now 48, admitted the nature of the relationship was controversial, and led to him being described by some as a ‘rent boy’.
‘He said I will pay for your classes but you come away with me and we do the dirty'
I suppose that could be compared to a lady getting engaged and getting a great big sparkling Tiffany ring – and then breaking off the engagement but keeping the ring,’ he said.
Craig added that at the time he was training as a chef, which he hated, but his mystery lover 'saved him from that'.
Australian born Craig went on to have a career as a professional dancer, before finding fame in 2004 when he became Strictly's resident Mr Nasty judge.
On his imminent hip surgery, Craig said: ‘I will be made of titanium and I can’t wait, darling.’
Asked whether he would be fit to return to the show next week, he said he might have to face the cameras and the audience in a wheelchair, adding: ‘A fabulous glittery one I hope.’