Former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips ‘hasn’t forgiven’ show’s sad ending

Former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips has admitted she has never forgiven producers for axing her from the show.

The 81-year-old choreographer first joined the show as a judge during its inaugural run in 2004 and served in the role until 2008. She was replaced by former Mis-Teeq star Alesha Dixon, who won the Glitterball trophy in 2007.

Arlene Phillips ‘accepts but doesn’t forgive’ firing

When Arlene was replaced by Alesha, who was then 30, there were many accusations of ageism. Alesha also faced backlash at the time.

More than 15 years after she was fired from the show, Arlene told the Mirror that she had “accepted the show but not forgiven it”.

“Yes, I moved on. I think that’s a reason to be happy and I can always remind myself that I was there for the pilot when no one thought that this show would be a show,” she continued.

Arlene is also immensely proud of being the “first female judge” on Strictly, adding: “I could give myself so many accolades.”

“Dancing is very difficult”

Asked about the ongoing investigation into Giovanni Pernice and his celebrity partners, who have accused him of “threatening and abusive” behaviour, Arlene said she could not comment.

But she added: “Dancing is hard. Dancing is very hard, and teaching is hard. But in terms of teaching, we’ve progressed from the teaching I experienced when I was young. Teachers with canes.”

“Your ballet teacher had a stick and he wasn’t afraid to use it or yell or scream or whatever, the way you learned to dance was that you had to dedicate your life to it. And the teachers were the rulers of your life because they held the key to making you a dancer.”

Read more: Arlene Phillips fans congratulate her as she has the final say in brutal Strictly defeat

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