Ex-Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips says she can never forgive the BBC for the way she was controversially axed from the show.
When the series launched in 2004, Arlene was appointed as a judge with Craig Revel-Horwood, Bruno Tonioli, and Len Goodman. Over the next five series, she was much-loved by audiences in the way she critiqued celebrities competing to win that coveted glitterball trophy.
However, Arlene's Strictly journey came to a hugely controversial end in 2008 when she was replaced by former champion Alesha Dixon. Now Arlene has said she can't forgive the BBC for the decision but she has been able to move on with her life.
Speaking to The Mirror, she said: "Accepted but not forgiven. Yes, I have moved on. I suppose it is something to rejoice, and I can always remind myself, I was there at the pilot, when nobody ever thought this show was going to be a show. And to be the first female judge, there's a lot of accolades I could give myself."
The decision to axe Arlene, now 81, and replace her with Alesha Dixon now 45, led to accusations that the Beeb was being ageist. It caused a huge media storm at the time.
Arlene also spoke about working with Andrew Lloyd Webber for the musical "Starlight Express", which is being shown in London. "This show is so of its time. It always was….musically it was driving so many musical genres and again there's more new ideas and it has always been a show that Andrew has never backed off from. He has always found new ways and new ideas to bring into this musical.”
Arlene has made a host of different TV appearances since leaving Strictly including appearing on I'm A Celebrity. She was on the 2021 edition becoming the oldest contestant on the ITV reality hit. She was a judge on the show So You Think You Can Dance? and was a guest judge on Dancing on Ice.
