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Wales Online
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Arlene Phillips shares reaction to Strictly fans who mistake her for much younger judge
Arlene Phillips shares reaction to Strictly fans who mistake her for much younger judge Dame Arlene Phillips says fans are always mixing her up with her friend on Strictly Come Dancing, who is 18 years her junior, years on from her controversial axe from the BBC show Arlene Phillip said she's often having to clarify who she is to fans (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) Dame Arlene Phillips is arguably the first choreographer to become a household name in Britain. Her dance ensemble, Hot Gossip, set the 1980s alight and sparked a lingerie-as-outerwear fashion trend, echoed by stars such as Sabrina Carpenter today. While those days may be behind her, Dame Arlene still remains as one of the dance industry's most well-known faces. In a recent chat, the former Strictly Come Dancing judge said fans often mistake her for the programme's current head judge, Shirley Ballas, 64. She shared: "People come running up shouting, 'Shirley! Shirley!' and I have to say, 'No, I'm the other one!'". Despite the mix-up, at 82, Arlene may find solace in being compared to someone nearly two decades her junior. Fans sometimes mistake Arlien for her pal Shirley Ballas [L] (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) Arlene endured a highly publicised departure from the Strictly Come Dancing jury in her sixties, which ignited heated debates over sexism and ageism within the media. The contentious casting change led over 2,000 viewers to lodge complaints with the BBC, and even drew political ire as Deputy Labour Leader Harriet Harman lambasted the BBC's choice as "absolutely shocking." Article continues below Throughout the uproar, Arlene chose to concentrate on her own pursuits: "I wrapped myself in my world and got on with life," she told The i newspaper. Arlene made a name for herself with dance troupe Hot Gossip (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) Many still approach her to opine that she shouldn't have been dismissed from the series after its 2008 season. Reflecting on her reaction to being replaced by Alesha Dixon, Arlene expressed initial anger but pointed out her swift rebound. "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," she added. "I loved being on Strictly. It's very dear to my heart that I was there right from the start." Arlene continued, highlighting her resilience: "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." Bruno Tonioli, Arlene Phillips, Len Goodman and Craig Revel Horwood on Strictly (Image: BBC ) Meanwhile, a previous female colleague at the BBC conveyed to The Mirror their concerns about ageism, stating: "There seems to be a system that gives women no chance on air unless they are below a certain age." Article continues below They further lamented: "Arlene may have a job on The One Show, but she is being pushed out of Strictly even though she was an excellent judge with great knowledge on dancing. There is no really good reason for it." At the time, the BBC denied that ageism played any role in Arlene being replaced. In defence of the decision to bring in former Strictly champion Alesha as Arlene's replacement, BBC One controller Jay Hunt asserted: "Yes, a lot of people were upset about Arlene but the flip side is, in Alesha, we have a young, black, woman presenter, at the heart of the Saturday night BBC One schedule."
Wales Online
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Strictly Come Dancing's Arlene Phillips issues brutal five-word admission on ageing
Strictly Come Dancing's Arlene Phillips issues brutal five-word admission on ageing Arlene Phillips, who was one of the first four judges on the massively popular BBC show, said she'd been asked a certain question by her family that she called a "very good idea" Dame Arlene worked as one of the original four judges on Strictly (Image: ITV ) Dame Arlene Phillips has made an unusual declaration to her loved ones about a significant event, stating she doesn't "need any more" in her life. The distinguished choreographer, famed for leading the television dance crew Hot Gossip and being one of the original panel members on the acclaimed BBC dance contest until her departure in 2009, is turning the page as her 82nd birthday approaches. Since then, Arlene, who turns 82 next week, has appeared on I'm A Me Out of Here!, as the oldest celebrity contestant ever to take part in the show and has continued to be a key figure in the dance world. Yet, as the theatre director and former judge faces her next birthday, she has revealed that she was presented with a certain question from her family that she ultimately dubbed a "very good idea." Speaking to the Mail, Arlene recalled: "My family said, 'Do you just want to skip it?' I said, 'That sounds like a very good idea'. So, I'm skipping my birthday. I've had so many amazing birthdays - I don't need any more." Arlene was presented with a certain question from her family (Image: Getty Images ) Article continues below Last December, Arlene divulged her secret to maintaining her svelte figure well into her eighties, confessing she abides by a certain "dieting rule". For Arlene, staving off cravings for crisps or chocolate involves always having a pack of chicory to hand. Despite having a healthy go-to distraction for hunger pangs, she admits that there are times when she indulges herself, reflecting: "This has not been a good year for my weight, not at all." Arlene Phillips has also shared her relaxed attitude towards food in her 80s, saying: "Sometimes I make a decision that I'm going to eat frugally and carefully, and my mind can stick with it. Other times I just think, 'You're in your eighties - you can have what you want. Make sure you're enjoying everything you eat!'" She expressed her thoughts on weight loss jabs, revealing she wishes she "had the courage" but has an aversion to injections. Phillips mentioned she would love to shed the extra 14 lbs that "seem to have attached" to her body. The former Strictly Come Dancing judge, who was part of the show from 2004 to 2008, was succeeded by Alesha Dixon in 2009. Alesha, the show's 2007 winner, was later replaced. Arlene ultimately dubbed the question a "very good idea" (Image: ITV ) Article continues below The current judging panel comprises Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood, and Anton Du Beke. Meanwhile, Arlene has had a diverse career, working on music videos with icons like Tina Turner, Elton John, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston. Her choreography expertise has been showcased in notable musical and film productions, including We Will Rock You and the 1982 film adaptation of Annie. She also held the role of "creative dramaturg" in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express.
Edinburgh Live
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Strictly's Arlene Phillips issues plea to family and admits 'I don't need any more'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Arlene Phillips has told her family that she plans to avoid something significant in her life, claiming that she doesn't "need any more". Dame Arlene, a choreographer who served as the leader of the TV dance troupe Hot Gossip, worked as one of the original four judges on the popular BBC dance competition until she was axed in 2009. Since then, Arlene, who turns 82 next week, has appeared on I'm A Celeb as the oldest celebrity contestant ever to take part in the show and has continued to be a key figure in the dance world. Yet, as the theatre director and former judge faces her next birthday, she has revealed that she was presented with a certain question from her family that she ultimately dubbed a "very good idea." Arlene told the Mail: "My family said, 'Do you just want to skip it?' I said, 'That sounds like a very good idea'. So, I'm skipping my birthday. I've had so many amazing birthdays - I don't need any more." (Image: Getty Images) In December last year, Arlene shared her secret to keeping her figure in her 80s, revealing that she has a "dieting rule". She went on to explain that she always has a packet of chicory in her bag. It means that when she feels hungry and may be tempted to reach for crisps or chocolate, she can remind herself that she has the healthier snack readily available. However, she also disclosed that sometimes she feels like she can have what she wants, saying: "This has not been a good year for my weight, not at all. "Sometimes I make a decision that I'm going to eat frugally and carefully, and my mind can stick with it. Other times I just think, 'You're in your eighties - you can have what you want. Make sure you're enjoying everything you eat!'" (Image: ITV) She shared her views on weight loss jabs, saying she wished she "had the courage" but doesn't like injections. Arlene added that she'd love to lose the extra 14 lbs that "seem to have attached" to her body. Arlene, who worked on Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 until 2008, was replaced by Alesha Dixon in 2009. Alesha won the show in 2007 prior to her appointment but was later replaced herself. The panel now includes Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke. Meanwhile, Arlene has enjoyed a varied career, including in music videos with such legends as Tina Turner, Elton John, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston. She has also lent her choreography skills to huge musical and film productions, including We Will Rock You and the 1982 movie adaptation of Annie and the role of "creative dramaturg" in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express.
