Arlene Phillip has recalled the 'awful' moment she found out she'd been axed from Strictly Come Dancing while consumed with grief at the loss of her beloved manager. The Prestwich-born dancer, choreographer, and TV star appeared as a judge on the BBC One dance show from 2004 to 2009.
She was one of the original judges alongside Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, and Bruno Tonioli when the show launched. In 2005 and 2006, Arlene was a judge for the spin-off series Strictly Dance Fever, also by the BBC, to find dancers wishing to join the chorus of a West End musical.
However, as the 2008 series of Strictly came to an end, which was won by Tom Chambers, the BBC announced that several changes would be made to refresh the show in 2009. It was until the summer that Arelen's exit was confirmed and she was replaced by former Strictly winner and current Britain's Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon, who was 35 years her junior.
