Dame Arlene Phillips has hinted at an exciting return to Strictly Come Dancing, more than a decade after she was booted from the judging panel.
The legendary dancer and choreographer, 81, was one of Strictly’s original judges and spent four years on the panel, alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman.
In 2009 it was announced that Arlene had been fired as a judge and would be replaced by Alesha Dixon. This sparked a backlash when people accused the BBC of discriminating against older women, something the broadcaster denied.
And 15 years later, Arlene could return, he said. the sun at the Pride Of Britain Awards 2024 on Monday night.
She said: “I’ve been filming something today, which is coming out soon and it’s hilarious.”
Dame Arlene Phillips, 81, has hinted at an exciting return to Strictly Come Dancing, more than a decade after she was booted from the judging panel.
The legendary dancer and choreographer was one of Strictly’s original judges and spent four years on the panel, alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman (Len, Craig and Arlene pictured in 2008).
“It has something to do with dancing.”
When asked on the red carpet if she had any plans for a Strictly return, Arlene added: “Maybe a little chat…”
In May, Arlene claimed the BBC “never apologized” or gave a reason why she was fired.
Speaking on Elizabeth Day Podcast How to FailArlene said she was never even given a reason why she “wasn’t invited back.”
“I didn’t leave,” Arlene said. “They didn’t invite me back. And I think there is a big difference. If I had left the show, it would have been my choice.
‘In fact, to this day I feel like I wish this had been discussed. I wish they had come to me and said, ‘We’re not going to keep you,’ and what the reasons were, and then I could adjust to it.’
Arlene added: “Certainly no one has apologized.” We went to meetings two (maybe) three weeks later, but the question was, “What can we offer you instead?” Nothing, at all, for no reason.
‘The truth is, I don’t think they thought I was good enough. That’s the truth about it. “That’s what really hurts me because I felt like a good judge.”
In 2009 it was announced that Arlene had been fired as a judge and would be replaced by Alesha Dixon (pictured).
And 15 years later, Arlene could be back, she told The Sun at the 2024 Pride Of Britain Awards on Monday night.
When asked on the red carpet if she had any plans for a Strictly return, Arlene added: “Maybe a little chat…”
In May, Arlene claimed the BBC “never apologized” or gave a reason why she was fired.
“I didn’t leave,” Arlene said. “They didn’t invite me back. And I think there is a big difference. If I had left the show, it would have been my choice.
‘In fact, to this day I feel like I wish this had been discussed. I wish they had come to me and said, ‘We’re not going to keep you,’ and what the reasons were, and then I could adjust to it.’
Arlene added: “Certainly no one has apologized.” We went to meetings two (maybe) three weeks later, but the question was, “What can we offer you instead?” Nothing, at all, for no reason.
‘The truth is, I don’t think they thought I was good enough. That’s the truth about it. “That’s what really hurts me because I felt like a good judge.”
“I was pretty much only allowed to wear black jackets. Yes. I had two posh ones, designer ones, and the rest came from Next or M&S.’
Arlene added: ‘And you are sort of positioned in this role. And believe me, Judging is strictly a roleplay. “It’s a role play for everyone… it always has been.”
In March, Arlene slammed the BBC when she revealed she discovered she had been removed from her judging position when a journalist called her.
In an interview with The Guardian, Arlene explained that she was very angry at the way the BBC handled the dismissal, explaining that the first time she found out was when a radio show called her to make a comment.
“I was an adult when I made that programme, so it bothers me that the BBC didn’t come to me as soon as they thought of it,” she said. “Rather than ruining my confidence, I think it was swirling around me and I thought, ‘I need to find myself.’
“I needed all the mental preparation I could muster to go: ‘Wait a minute, you had a great career before this and you’ve got work to do.’