Dame Arlene Phillips has claimed the BBC “never apologized” or gave her a reason why she was sacked from Strictly Come Dancing.
The choreographer and talent scout, 80, was a member of the inaugural judging panel when the hit dance show launched in 2004, 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 speaking on Wednesday’s episode of How to Fail by Elizabeth Day On the podcast, Arlene has now claimed that she was never given a reason why she “wasn’t invited back.”
During the podcast, Arlene also spoke about the format of the dance show, admitting that the panel was “positioned” according to different stereotypes, of which she was encouraged to be the “tough” judge, who was only allowed to wear black jackets. “.
Dame Arlene Phillips claimed on Wednesday’s How to Fail podcast that the BBC “never apologized” or gave her a reason why she was fired from Strictly Come Dancing.
The choreographer and talent scout, 80, was a member of the inaugural judging panel when the hit dance show launched in 2004, alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman.
‘“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 he just said, “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.”
The former dancer said the most concrete information provided that came close to the reason for her firing was that the show was “refreshing the brand.”
Arlene was known for being a particularly tough judge on the show, which meant that celebrities really had to try hard to impress her.
But she has now revealed that her role as a “tough” judge was orchestrated, as she was “positioned” as that person from the beginning.
She said: “Certainly, when Strictly started, I was positioned in this role of being the ‘tough, only allowed to wear black jackets’ type of judge.”
Speaking on Wednesday’s episode of Elizabeth Day’s How to Fail podcast, Arlene has now claimed she was never given a reason why she “wasn’t invited back” (pictured at the Olivier Awards in April).
In 2009 it was announced that Arlene had been fired as a judge and would be replaced by Alesha Dixon (pictured).
Last month, Arlene paid tribute to her friend and fellow Strictly judge Len, a year after his death, during an appearance on Loose Women (pictured in 2012).
“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.”
MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment.
In March, Arlene slammed the BBC by revealing that she found out that she had been removed from her position as judge 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.’
Arlene was known for being a particularly tough judge on the show, which meant that celebrities really had to try hard to impress her.
Arlene recalled the ‘crazy times’ the couple shared and said she often listens to recordings of his voice.
Last month, Arlene paid tribute to her friend and fellow Strictly judge Len, a year after his death, during an appearance on Loose Women.
Arlene recalled the “crazy times” the couple shared and said she often listens to recordings of his voice.
Speaking on Tuesday’s show, Arlene added: “The joy of being able to go to your computer, open it up and see all this wonder… ‘I’m just a dance teacher from Dartford’ or whatever.” and you can listen to them.
“So just hearing his voice brings you back to the crazy times we shared.”