Strictly Come Dancing star Arlene Phillips has said going back to the show “isn’t an option”.
The former BBC judge, 81, worked on the show between 2004 and 2008 but was replaced by Alesha Dixon for the following series. However, Arlene confessed she still holds Strictly “dear to her heart”.
Speaking exclusively at the Pride of Britain Awards, Arlene said: “I loved it, it’s very dear to my heart and I was there right from the star. But I’m an adult and when life comes along and it doesn’t go the way you want it to, you just get on with it.”
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When asked if she would ever be up for a return, she answered: “They would never ask me back now, it wouldn’t even be an option, it’s like asking me if I would go to the moon, it’s just not going to happen.”
(Image: BBC)
Arlene also got emotional when she spoke about her late co-star Len Goodman who she misses “more than ever”. The TV star grew close to Len as they were both seated on the original judging panel.
Len passed away in 2023 three days before his 79th birthday from prostate cancer that metastasised to his bones. Arlene recalled: “I didn’t find out until very close to his passing just how ill he was, he is missed.
(Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
“I miss him more when Strictly is on than ever because we were the pioneers of the show on the pilot like children linking arms together. He is someone that I will always miss.”
When picking her brains about who could win this year, Arlene kept her cards close to her chest and said: “I’m always asked this at an early stage and you never know because it can be the worst dancer and the public just falls in love with that person.
(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
“Then it can be the best couple you’ve ever seen but that doesn’t mean they’re gonna win. It’s about connecting with the viewers. It’s about that little bit of magic that makes the audience fall in love with you.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
