Latest news with #ArlenePhillips
Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
ITV star 'banned' from Strictly Come Dancing as they admit 'I can't do it'
The countdown for Strictly Come Dancing has officially begun as the BBC show is set to air later this year. Strictly: Arlene Phillips on Tom Parker-Bowles rumours Strictly Come Dancing is fast approaching as fans speculate which well-known faces will be joining the line-up. Last year, the BBC show made history when comedian Chris McCausland was the first blind contestant to take part in the beloved show and went on to win the show with Dianne Buswell. Although no official names have been announced, rumours are flying around on who could potentially by Waltzing onto the dancefloor. Currently, names including the likes of Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo, Ashley Cain, Stacey Solomon and Dani Dyer have been heavily speculated. However, there's one famous face that viewers won't be seeing on Strictly Come Dancing. This Morning host Ben Shephard confessed his wife, Annie, won't allow him to take part due to the 'Strictly' curse, reports The Mirror. The so-called curse is notorious for breaking up relationships as contestants often end up romantically entangled with their dance partners. A few years ago, while speaking to Andi Peters on Good Morning Britain, Ben admitted: "Andi, I would love to do Strictly. "As you know, I spent three years in university learning to dance, I have a degree in dance - it doesn't make me a good dancer, obviously. "But my wife really doesn't want me to do Strictly, I've spoken about it very publicly, but she's not interested in me having an affair." He quipped: "I think she's being very narrow-minded and it could be a great opportunity, who knows what could happen? "It would be an amazing experience, I love a bit of spangle and glamour on a Saturday night... As things stand though, that's a negotiation that needs to happen between the BBC and my wife." He quipped: "I can get myself into a lot of trouble here." The so-called 'Strictly Curse' has become infamous, with numerous celebrities parting ways with their significant others after appearing on Strictly Come Dancing. It's not just break-ups; many stars have found romance with their dance partners on the show. Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley are one of the show's success stories, having fallen for each other during their victorious run in 2018, mirroring fellow contestants Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell. Rachel Riley also found love with her dance partner Pasha Kovalev, while Seann Walsh made headlines for his scandalous smooch with his married dance pro Katya Jones, leading to a split from his girlfriend.
Daily Mirror
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Strictly star hits out at 'tough' axing after brutal way they found out
Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips has branded her exit from the BBC dance competition as 'tough' as she gave her opinion on the latest scandals Arlene Phillips has admitted she found her Strictly Come Dancing exit "tough," after being suddenly replaced without warning. The dancer and former judge, 82, saw her departure from the hit BBC competition spark an ageism row as Alesha Dixon, then 30, took her place. Despite having decades of experience as a dancer and choreographer, Arlene found out about the bosses' decision through the radio rather than being told directly. Controversy has continued to surround the dance competition over the years, with actress Amanda Abbington sparking a bullying row. She had accused her dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, of bullying during their time together in 2023, which he denied. This year, the drama off stage continued once again as Wynne Evans was booted off the tour due to his behaviour. Arlene has since opened up on her own exit as well as the scandals that have followed. She told The Sunday Times: "I loved my time on Strictly and it was tough when I left, but I got up and carried on with life. "I wasn't there when accusations of bullying were made against some of the dancers, but I was quite strict when I started teaching." The dancer credits her children with learning how to communicate without losing her temper. "I realised there was a different way to talk to people when I had a child - I didn't want to lose my temper," she confessed. "There are ways to get people to do as you want without shouting." Last year, Arlene admitted she 'kicked, screamed and sobbed' when she found out she was getting the boot from her beloved show. She had joined Strictly in 2004, but after the show wrapped in 2008, Arlene found out she'd got the chop. Speaking out about the axe in a chat with the Mirror, the decorated Dame candidly admitted how she dealt with the news. She revealed: "I gave myself 48 hours to kick, scream, cry and sob, and eat scones with cream and jam, then I made myself wake up and get on with it." Arlene went on to admit she felt she didn't ask the right questions after finding out the news, having later had more time to reflect. She continued: "I was very fragile because I had a bereavement the day before [her manager died]. "I wanted to know in detail and I wanted to know the real reason at the point when they decided for me to go, yet they kept me hanging on for so long with the possibility that there would be five judges." At the time, it was rumoured that Arlene was axed because BBC thought she 'too old.' However, she claimed she still didn't know the reason why when she was dropped and replaced by Alesha, who had never critiqued a dance show - but was crowned Strictly champion. When reflecting on the abrupt end to her time on the show, Arlene exuded elegance, stating: "I'm a grown up so when life comes along and it doesn't go the way you want, you just get on with it." However, when quizzed about the possibility of rejoining the show, the former judge was unequivocally resolute, affirming: "They would never ask me so I would never think about it. It's not even an option."
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Arlene Phillips reflects her 'tough' axe from Strictly amid ageism row as she weighs in on show's bullying scandal and her own 'strict' teaching style
Arlene Phillips has opened up about her 'tough' departure from Strictly Come Dancing and the accusations of bullying on the show. The former judge, now 82, was replaced with a then 30-year-old Alesha Dixon in 2009 with no explanation, despite having decades of experience as a dancer and choreographer. The BBC was subsequently accused of ageism after Arlene, who rose to fame with the dance troupe Hot Gossip in the 1970s, found out she had been axed on the radio instead of being approached directly. The controversy surrounding the long-running TV staple was amped up a gear in 2023 when Amanda Abbington, 51, accused her dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, 34, of bullying. Arelene told The Sunday Times: 'I loved my time on Strictly and it was tough when I left, but I got up and carried on with life. 'I wasn't there when accusations of bullying were made against some of the dancers, but I was quite strict when I started teaching.' Arlene, who had two children at ages 18 and 47, explained that her offspring taught her how to communicate without losing her temper. She said: 'I realised there was a different way to talk to people when I had a child - I didn't want to lose my temper. 'There are ways to get people to do as you want without shouting.' Arlene, who most recently worked as a choreographer on Guys and Dolls, made the revelations in a new interview when she reflects on her life a decade and a half after her Strictly departure. Describing her granddaughters as the biggest joy in her life now, she said that when her mother passed away when she was just 15, she quickly learned that she had to fight for the life she wanted. Arlene said the best piece of advice she has ever been given is to 'think carefully about what you say and do to others.' Her comments come after the accusations against Giovanni were partially upheld and others came forward to share similar stories that painted a picture of a toxic working environment on Strictly. Giovanni later admitted that while he is a strict teacher, he is not a bully, telling ITV's Lorraine in September: 'Bully is a big word and there's a difference between being a bully and caring about what you do.' After six months of investigating the Sherlock actress' claims after she previously branded Giovanni 'abusive, cruel and mean', in September, the BBC announced that they did not find him physically abusive, but upheld some claims of verbal bullying and harassment and did issue an apology to Amanda. Out of 17 complaints, they upheld six, some of which are for Giovanni using swear words. The report says that his language could be 'belittling.' Sources say they found 'instances of it.' The BBC also agreed with Amanda that at times he appeared to be giving her overly negative feedback. It also concluded that there were two moments of 'inappropriate behaviour of sexual banter in the workplace' which were found to be made and received as jokes, humour and compliments of Amanda's dancing. The review has found this was a two-way, consensual way of talking and behaving. However, her complaint that he sent her a video on WhatsApp which she deemed to be inappropriate was also not upheld. The BBC did not find anything sexually inappropriate either. Arlene claims to this day that the broadcaster has still never given her a reason for axing her from the show.
The Guardian
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Arlene Phillips: ‘My biggest disappointment? Being let go from Strictly'
Born in Lancashire, Arlene Phillips, 82, created the dance group Hot Gossip in the 1970s. She went on to become a world-renowned choreographer, and was a judge on Strictly Come Dancing from 2004-8. In 2021, she was made a dame for her services to dance and charity and in 2024 received an Olivier award for her work on Guys and Dolls. Her current shows include Starlight Express and A Midsummer Night's Dream in London. She is an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society and is supporting its Forget Me Not appeal. She lives with her partner in London and has two daughters. What is your most treasured possession? An old biscuit tin, which was my mum's jewellery box – she passed away when I was a teenager. Describe yourself in three words Loving, creative, demanding. What has been your biggest disappointment? Being let go from Strictly. Would you choose fame or anonymity? Fame, because I had a taste of it. Who is your celebrity crush? It's always been, since I first met him, David Tennant. What is your guiltiest pleasure? Sneaking cheese from the fridge. Aside from a property, what's the most expensive thing you've bought? A Biba dress when I really couldn't afford it. It was every scrap of my money and I've never parted with it. What is your most unappealing habit? Never sitting still at a meal: if anybody drops a crumb or spills a bit of sauce I go and get the kitchen roll and wipe it up. What is the worst thing anyone has said to you? In school, I was 11, and we had to paint a picture of family life. My painting was held up to the class and I was told it looked like a spider with ink on its feet had walked across the page. It was done so viciously – humiliating. What is the worst job you've done? In a Dagenham factory at 6am, picking soldiers' greatcoats from wars around the world to sell at the market in Chelsea. I smelled like mothballs, and no one would come near me. Which book are you ashamed not to have read? The Bible. What is your greatest fear? Dying. What does love feel like? Like you've got hot-water bottles all over you. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion What has been your closest brush with the law? I was travelling late at night from Strictly to a country cottage. I thought someone was following me, and the faster I drove, the more this follower was shining lights on me. Then I realised it was a police car! They laughed. It didn't occur to me that I had been speeding in the first place. What do you consider your greatest achievement? My daughters and granddaughters. What keeps you awake at night? One after the other, thoughts come banging in – and it's no sleep for you tonight, dearie. What would your superpower be? Good health for all. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? I'm just coming. When did you last cry, and why? I play Classic FM in the car – emotional music brings me to tears thinking about people I've loved and lost. What is the most important lesson life has taught you? Life is never fair. How would you like to be remembered? Kind, thoughtful and gave damn good advice.
The Guardian
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Arlene Phillips: ‘My biggest disappointment? Being let go from Strictly'
Born in Lancashire, Arlene Phillips, 82, created the dance group Hot Gossip in the 1970s. She went on to become a world-renowned choreographer, and was a judge on Strictly Come Dancing from 2004-8. In 2021, she was made a dame for her services to dance and charity and in 2024 received an Olivier award for her work on Guys and Dolls. Her current shows include Starlight Express and A Midsummer Night's Dream in London. She is an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society and is supporting its Forget Me Not appeal. She lives with her partner in London and has two daughters. What is your most treasured possession? An old biscuit tin, which was my mum's jewellery box – she passed away when I was a teenager. Describe yourself in three words Loving, creative, demanding. What has been your biggest disappointment? Being let go from Strictly. Would you choose fame or anonymity? Fame, because I had a taste of it. Who is your celebrity crush? It's always been, since I first met him, David Tennant. What is your guiltiest pleasure? Sneaking cheese from the fridge. Aside from a property, what's the most expensive thing you've bought? A Biba dress when I really couldn't afford it. It was every scrap of my money and I've never parted with it. What is your most unappealing habit? Never sitting still at a meal: if anybody drops a crumb or spills a bit of sauce I go and get the kitchen roll and wipe it up. What is the worst thing anyone has said to you? In school, I was 11, and we had to paint a picture of family life. My painting was held up to the class and I was told it looked like a spider with ink on its feet had walked across the page. It was done so viciously – humiliating. What is the worst job you've done? In a Dagenham factory at 6am, picking soldiers' greatcoats from wars around the world to sell at the market in Chelsea. I smelled like mothballs, and no one would come near me. Which book are you ashamed not to have read? The Bible. What is your greatest fear? Dying. What does love feel like? Like you've got hot-water bottles all over you. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion What has been your closest brush with the law? I was travelling late at night from Strictly to a country cottage. I thought someone was following me, and the faster I drove, the more this follower was shining lights on me. Then I realised it was a police car! They laughed. It didn't occur to me that I had been speeding in the first place. What do you consider your greatest achievement? My daughters and granddaughters. What keeps you awake at night? One after the other, thoughts come banging in – and it's no sleep for you tonight, dearie. What would your superpower be? Good health for all. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? I'm just coming. When did you last cry, and why? I play Classic FM in the car – emotional music brings me to tears thinking about people I've loved and lost. What is the most important lesson life has taught you? Life is never fair. How would you like to be remembered? Kind, thoughtful and gave damn good advice.
