Dame Arlene Phillips has broken her silence on Strictly Come Dancing's new presenting trio with a thinly veiled swipe as the BBC ploughs ahead with the biggest shake-up in the show's history.
Arlene's Verdict on New Hosts
The legendary choreographer, 83, was one of Strictly's original judges when the show launched in 2004 until she was controversially axed in 2009 and replaced by the younger Alesha Dixon, then 30 – a decision that sparked a furious ageism row.
Now, speaking exclusively to The Mirror, Arlene gave her honest verdict on the trio set to take over the ballroom this autumn: presenter Emma Willis, 50, comedian Josh Widdicombe, 43, and Strictly professional dancer Johannes Radebe, 39.
"Three's a crowd, don't they say?" Arlene told us. "It was chaotic enough before. Who knows what it's going to be like now? It's going to be interesting, that's for sure."
She added that she will watch the new series to see the drama unfold. "I think it'll be fun. I can't wait to see the madness - and there will be madness," she said.
Concern for Johannes Radebe
Her biggest concern is what the new role means for Johannes – the South African dancer who has been a Strictly fan favourite since joining as a pro in 2018. Many fans worry his move to hosting could mean hanging up his dancing shoes.
"I know Johannes really well - I love him, I adore him," Arlene said. "But he dances so brilliantly that it will be a big loss to the show if he won't dance with them again."
Thoughts on Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe
Speaking at the Fragrance Foundation UK Awards at Grosvenor House in Mayfair, Arlene went on to describe Emma - who has hosted shows including Big Brother and Love Is Blind UK - as "lovely". She added that she didn't know Josh.
The hosting overhaul is part of a dramatic revamp. Five long-serving pro dancers – Karen Hauer, 43, Gorka Márquez, 35, Nadiya Bychkova, 36, Luba Mushtuk, 36, and Michelle Tsiakkas, 30 – have all been axed from the new series.
Return to Judging? 'No, No, No'
Asked if she would ever consider returning to the judging panel, the West End choreographer replied: "No, no, no, no, no. I'm sure they miss me, though."
After she was dropped from Strictly, Arlene described how she gave herself "48 hours to kick, scream, cry and sob, and eat scones with cream and jam" before picking herself back up.
She was made a Dame in 2021 for services to dance and charity.
