• Home
  • News
  • World
  • Politics
  • Money
  • Lifestyle
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • More
    • Tech
    • Web Stories
    • Spotlight
    • Press Release
What's On

‘I dismissed symptoms baby brain before dreadful diagnosis’

1 July 2025

Mellrichstadt: Knifeman’s brutal attack at company leaves one dead and two injured

1 July 2025

‘I was left disfigured after 15-minute nap in my garden’

1 July 2025

Emily Atack’s ‘supportive’ Boden swimsuit with detachable straps is now on sale

1 July 2025

Urgent alert for everyone with a Gmail account – do not ignore 6 important new rules

1 July 2025

Liverpool transfer target Alexander Isak told he should only leave Newcastle for three clubs

1 July 2025

‘Best’ UK seaside town with beaches and cobbled alleys ‘just like French Riviera’

1 July 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Trending
  • ‘I dismissed symptoms baby brain before dreadful diagnosis’
  • Mellrichstadt: Knifeman’s brutal attack at company leaves one dead and two injured
  • ‘I was left disfigured after 15-minute nap in my garden’
  • Emily Atack’s ‘supportive’ Boden swimsuit with detachable straps is now on sale
  • Urgent alert for everyone with a Gmail account – do not ignore 6 important new rules
  • Liverpool transfer target Alexander Isak told he should only leave Newcastle for three clubs
  • ‘Best’ UK seaside town with beaches and cobbled alleys ‘just like French Riviera’
  • TAHIRA ALI: ‘Fast fashion is selling Desi clothing without acknowledging our culture’
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
England TimesEngland Times
Demo
  • Home
  • News
  • World
  • Politics
  • Money
  • Lifestyle
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • More
    • Tech
    • Web Stories
    • Spotlight
    • Press Release
England TimesEngland Times
Home » Arlene Phillips reveals ‘tough’ Strictly exit after finding out about axe on radio
Entertainment

Arlene Phillips reveals ‘tough’ Strictly exit after finding out about axe on radio

By staff30 June 2025No Comments4 Mins Read

Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips has branded her exit from the BBC dance competition as ‘tough’ as she gave her opinion on the latest scandals

22:24, 30 Jun 2025Updated 22:24, 30 Jun 2025

Arlene Phillips
Former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips has opened up on her brutal exit(Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

Arlene Phillips has admitted she found her Strictly Come Dancing exit “tough,” after being suddenly replaced without warning. The dancer and former judge, 82, saw her departure from the hit BBC competition spark an ageism row as Alesha Dixon, then 30, took her place.

Despite having decades of experience as a dancer and choreographer, Arlene found out about the bosses’ decision through the radio rather than being told directly. Controversy has continued to surround the dance competition over the years, with actress Amanda Abbington sparking a bullying row.

She had accused her dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, of bullying during their time together in 2023, which he denied. This year, the drama off stage continued once again as Wynne Evans was booted off the tour due to his behaviour.

Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips and Len Goodman
Arlene was on the judging panel for four years(Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Arlene has since opened up on her own exit as well as the scandals that have followed. She told The Sunday Times: “I loved my time on Strictly and it was tough when I left, but I got up and carried on with life.

“I wasn’t there when accusations of bullying were made against some of the dancers, but I was quite strict when I started teaching.” The dancer credits her children with learning how to communicate without losing her temper.

“I realised there was a different way to talk to people when I had a child – I didn’t want to lose my temper,” she confessed. “There are ways to get people to do as you want without shouting.”

Last year, Arlene admitted she ‘kicked, screamed and sobbed’ when she found out she was getting the boot from her beloved show. She had joined Strictly in 2004, but after the show wrapped in 2008, Arlene found out she’d got the chop.

Speaking out about the axe in a chat with the Mirror, the decorated Dame candidly admitted how she dealt with the news. She revealed: “I gave myself 48 hours to kick, scream, cry and sob, and eat scones with cream and jam, then I made myself wake up and get on with it.”

Arlene went on to admit she felt she didn’t ask the right questions after finding out the news, having later had more time to reflect. She continued: “I was very fragile because I had a bereavement the day before [her manager died].

“I wanted to know in detail and I wanted to know the real reason at the point when they decided for me to go, yet they kept me hanging on for so long with the possibility that there would be five judges.”

At the time, it was rumoured that Arlene was axed because BBC thought she ‘too old.’ However, she claimed she still didn’t know the reason why when she was dropped and replaced by Alesha, who had never critiqued a dance show – but was crowned Strictly champion.

When reflecting on the abrupt end to her time on the show, Arlene exuded elegance, stating: “I’m a grown up so when life comes along and it doesn’t go the way you want, you just get on with it.”

However, when quizzed about the possibility of rejoining the show, the former judge was unequivocally resolute, affirming: “They would never ask me so I would never think about it. It’s not even an option.”

READ MORE: Tesco slashes price of award-winning Irish cream liqueur that beat Baileys in taste tests

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email

Related News

TAHIRA ALI: ‘Fast fashion is selling Desi clothing without acknowledging our culture’

1 July 2025

Liam Gallagher gives new Oasis interview and discusses loves of his life days before tour

1 July 2025

Charlize Theron leads huge stars slamming billionaire Jeff Bezos’ ‘gross’ wedding

1 July 2025

Jacqueline Jossa slams In The Style for ‘not paying her for five figure deal’

1 July 2025

Today’s horoscope for July 1 as Aries re-thinks some big plans

1 July 2025

The Chase’s Shaun Wallace surprises followers with move away from ITV show

1 July 2025
Latest News

Mellrichstadt: Knifeman’s brutal attack at company leaves one dead and two injured

1 July 2025

‘I was left disfigured after 15-minute nap in my garden’

1 July 2025

Emily Atack’s ‘supportive’ Boden swimsuit with detachable straps is now on sale

1 July 2025

Urgent alert for everyone with a Gmail account – do not ignore 6 important new rules

1 July 2025
Stay In Touch
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Vimeo
Don't Miss
Sports

Liverpool transfer target Alexander Isak told he should only leave Newcastle for three clubs

By staff1 July 20250

Alexander Isak is a wanted man this summer but with Newcastle back in the Champions…

‘Best’ UK seaside town with beaches and cobbled alleys ‘just like French Riviera’

1 July 2025

TAHIRA ALI: ‘Fast fashion is selling Desi clothing without acknowledging our culture’

1 July 2025

Make your own ice-cold freezer cocktails but don’t forget to remove one ingredient

1 July 2025
England Times
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
© 2025 England Times. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Go to mobile version