Former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips has broken her silence on the hosting vacancies for the BBC dance show, offering candid opinions on potential candidates. Speaking at the Make-A-Wish UK annual ball at London's Savoy Hotel, the 82-year-old choreographer didn't hold back.
Views on Potential Hosts
When asked about names in contention for the primetime role, Phillips quipped, 'It should be me, of course! It's all about me!' She then mentioned Angela Scanlon, the Irish presenter and Strictly 2023 contestant, saying, 'Angela Scanlon, she'd be good - but she can get a little irritating, at times!'
Phillips also commented on other rumoured candidates: 'Yes, I've heard about Rylan, Zoe Ball, Emma Wills... And look, I'm sure they'd all be great, absolutely brilliant at it - but I do wish they would come up with something new, not just go with the same names. Find someone else, from... anywhere!'
Her Time on Strictly
Dame Arlene was a judge on Strictly from its inception in 2004 until 2008, alongside Craig Revel Horwood and the late Len Goodman. Her departure at age 66, replaced by Alesha Dixon, sparked ageism controversy. Reports now suggest auditions are underway for new hosts and professional dancers following Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman's departure and the axing of beloved pros like Nadia Bychkova and Karen Hauer.
Jungle Experience
Phillips also reflected on her 2021 stint on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, where at 78 she became the oldest contestant. She said she went in to overcome her fear of spiders, inspired by a young cancer patient she mentored: 'I was mentoring this beautiful girl who had cancer, who was very young and so brave and so fearless. I felt ashamed of myself that I was scared of doing a show. So I did it, I took the plunge. And I achieved what I wanted, because there were snakes all over me and I was calm as can be.'
She fondly recalled her jungle companion Richard Madeley: 'I did the jungle with Richard Madeley. Oh, I love Richard! He was my lifesaver there. He was my friend, I was so upset when he fell sick and had to go. I missed him terribly.'
Arlene was speaking at Make-A-Wish UK's annual ball, A Night of Wishes, raising funds for children with critical illnesses. See www.make-a-wish.org.uk.
