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Arlene’s Strictly history as Alesha Dixon and Darcey Bussell join the judges
Last updated at 13:32pm on 09.07.09Arlene Phillips has been axed from Strictly Come Dancing, it was confirmed today.
New judge: Alesha Dixon will replace Arlene Phillips
Instead the BBC revealed it has signed Alesha Dixon and Darcey Bussell as judges on the hit show. Former winner Alesha Dixon, 30, has been brought in to replace the 66-year-old Phillips on the judging panel as the BBC1 hit show takes on The X Factor in the ratings.
And Bussell, the 40-year-old former Royal Ballet prima ballerina, will join the contest as a guest judge for the final three weeks this December. Phillips will now appear on the BBC's weekday magazine programme The One Show.
The BBC was accused of ageism when it was revealed that she the younger and less experienced Dixon was being lined up to replace Phillips- an award winning choregrapher and talent scout.
Speaking at the launch of BBC One's new Autumn schedule of programmes, the channel's controller Jay Hunt said she was delighted to have Bussell on board: “We are constantly looking at ways to keep it fresh and it's a fantastic twist to bring a former principal dancer in to judge for the last three weeks.”
She defended her decision to remove Phillips from the show and insisted that the move had not been inspired by the success the X-factor has had since the show's creator Simon Cowell replaced Sharon Osbourne, 56, with Dannii Minogue, 37 and Cheryl Cole, 26.
She said: “It's got nothing to do with the X-Factor. This is about refreshing a show which the audience loves. It's not about getting a younger audience. Strictly Come Dancing is not the Olympics of ballroom dancing – it's an entertainment show. As a former champion Alesha will bring a completely different flavour to the show.”
Host Bruce Forsyth, 81 had signed up to host another series, despite having to take a pay cut. The new series of Strictly Come Dancing will begin this autumn with a special live Friday night show.
Hunt said she had examined what each of the judges Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli in addition to Phillips brought to the programme before arriving at her decision.
She continued: “Losing Arlene was not an easy decision to make. We look at the judges and thought well Bruno is the joker, Craig is the Simon Cowell of Strictly if you like, Len is the head judge and Arlene brings a combination of all that. Of course she is disappointed but is also incredibly excited about joining the One show. rlene is a fantastic voice of Middle England.'.”
*David Tennant will make one of his last appearances in Doctor Who with the second of four specials. In the Waters of Mars, the time-travelling hero battles a grisly new adversary The Flood', which turns people into zombies.
The hit comedy Gavin & Stacey will return for its third and final series and Mistresses is to return with a four-part special. David Attenborough is to present a new series; Life about the extremes animals and plants go through to survive.
Take That will hold a star-studded concert at the Royal Albert Hall to launch the BBC's 2009 Children in Need appeal.
Graham Norton's chat show will move from BBC Two to BBC One although his Saturday night flop; Totally Saturday is unlikely to return after failing to attract a large audience.
Last weekend's show was watched by just 2.5 million viewers. Hunt said that Friday Night with Jonathan Ross would be returning as normal'.
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Reader views (25)
Arlene Phillips is well informed, experienced and good entertainment. Please keep her on the judges panel.
- Sylvia Daly, Abergavenny, Wales
I simply want to reiterate the jist of the comments made across various websites. I loathe unfairness and add my voice to the thousands of others - no matter what age someone is, younger or older, we must value their worth, experience and wisdom. What has happened to INTEGRITY? What sort of message is the BBC flagging up in our society? Don't mean to sound sexist myself but why is it the woman who is axed to "bring in a bit of glamour" - nothing against Arelene's replacement but I think it is a complete insult to Arlene Phillips after her impressive career based on hard work and dedication as a dancer to be told - "Thanks but no thanks". I won't be tuning in.
- Pauline Brown, Dundee Scotland
I love strictly come dancing, i like alesha dixon but love arlene phillips, the show will not be the same, why change a format that works. I for one will not be watching this year I refuse to watch or listen to jonathon ross because of the bbc decision not to sack him.
- Julie, north somerset
'So what if she doesn't understand all the technical bits' Um, aren't those precisely the 'bits' judges are supposed to understand? How can Alesha Dixon (or anyone similar) make constructive, critical or meaningful comments about the dancers' performances without being able to fully understand what they should have done in a dance and whether or not they did it well. Being vapidly pretty is a very poor substitute for knowledge, expertise and experience.
- Alan, Oswestry, England
Pure ageism,a disgrace to replace an expereinced dancer with a wannabe - makes a complete joke of the show!! BRING BACK ARLENE and shame on you Alesha for excepting the job when another female is being knifed b in the back by another - bring on sisterhood
- Jemma, Cheltenham
The decision to replace Arlene Phillips, an experienced dancer and choreographer who has earned her place as a judge and who brings a unique and colourful character to the judges' table, with Alesha Dixon, one of too many pretty girls who have become celebrities on the back of moderate good-looks and average talent, is remarkable (but sadly predictable).
I have always enjoyed watching Strictly - but will make a point of turning over to another channel when the new series comes on. The BBC must believe that its viewers are shallow and unintelligent. Let's prove them wrong by displaying the intelligence to boycott shallow output such as this new series of Strictly Come Dancing. Perhaps audience ratings will make them reverse this foolish decision.
- Diane Taylor, Basingstoke, England
The reason that Strictly is so popular,is that it isn't trying to be fashionable.Ms Hunt will regret this move.In a bid to be a bigshot,she has stuck the thin end of the wedge into this great show,and I predict it's demise before too long.God save us from BBC managers with their lack of vision and stupidity.
- Sue Broadhurst, Knutsford,Cheshire
Sorry Strictly, I won't be watching this season because of Alesha Dixon !!!!! bring back Arlene, she knows more about dancing than she will ever know, how can she judge the professionals when she doesn't have a clue. "If it aint broke don't fix it".......... Bring on X Factor !
- Lynda Green, London
Am absolutely horrified! My entire family watch this show and adore Arlene. I cannot stand Alesha Dixon and infact voted for Matt all the way during the series she was on. She has an irritating laugh that will be enough to make me miss the show completely. Can we not somehow boycott this decision and persuade the BBC that they have made a terrible error? Surely the professional dancers will be insulted at having their performances judged by a second rate popstar who knows nothing atall about dancing other than having won it herself. Please lets set up a "keep Arlene" petition.
- Jane, Reading, Berks
Bring back Arlene just another case of agiesm I suspect I like A Dixon but not as a judge she doesn t know enough
I don t agree with bringing in pop stars to replace experienced people
- Amelia Taylor, folkestone kent
I think we must remember that Strictly is first and foremost entertainment. If I want true ballroom judges to judge totally on technical stuff then i could go to ballroom championships.
I think Alesha will bring a much needed breath of fresh air to the programme. So what if she doesn't understand all the technical bits, she knows what entertains the public. I am sure the tender hearted Alesha will let the likes of John Sargeant or Jessie Wallace down more gently, in fact will find something kind and positive to say about them.
- Chris Crossman, Hagley Worcs
Who exactly is Alesha and what is she famous for?
- Sarah, Surrey
THEY PAY EXECUTIVES VAST SUMS OF MONEY TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS. THE BBC IS A COMIC SHOW. EVEN THE ONCE RESPECTED NEWS, CUT THE LISCENCE FEE BY 50%. EVERYTHING IN BRITAIN IS SECOND RATE INCLUDING THE NHS, POLICE , EDUCATION AND PARLIAMENT.
- Alan Green, Woodford Green
Well done BBC. More dumbing down in a dash for ratings.
The judges are experts in all areas of dancing and choreography. That's what they bring to the table. Alesha's a lovely person, but she's not a dance expert. Stop trying to mimic the X-Factor in a mad dash for ratings and in the process spoil a wonderful show. The John Sargeant fiasco last year destroyed the dance competition it appears. Now we just have a celebrity glitz programme. Maybe the ratings will rise overall, but let's see how the demographics change. They'll have lost some over their core audience.
- Adam, Billericay
Arlene always had her favourite amongst the male contestants. Craig however could have gone if need be. What does Alesha know about dancing. I am pleased Bruce is staying for another year as i was thinking about not watching it if he was'nt. He makes the programme.
- Christopher, london
Arlene Phillips has forgotten more about dance than Alesha Dixon will ever know and not only does she offer lucid and eloquent and very professional observations on the various performances - she’s great fun as well. She’ll be very much missed, especially when we see Len and Bruno still on the team. Even if they manage to coach Alesha Dixon to string together a few coherent sentences that are understandable - we’ll all know why she’s on the team and we’ll all also be aware her opinions and marks she gives will be totally worthless.
Well done BBC - it’s the sort of management decision we’ve come to expect from that discredited, over-paid and over-manned, poll-tax liability.
- William Boreham, Kingston upon Thames.
I'm less concerned with the Dixon signing than I am with the retention of the apalling Forsyth. Too true he should have taken a pay cut as he's just not up to it. Bussell will be a welcome addition as someone who has enjoyed experience of many styles of dance not just the ballet for which she is best known
- John, Strood, Kent
I think the BBC will regret this decision - Arlene is extremely knowledgeable and an integral part of the show. If she had to be replaced it should have been by one of the existing dancers who are trained professional dancers.
- Andy, london
I'm surprised this show has made it to another season - won't be watching.
- Jim, London
And Alesha knows exactly what about dance??? Yes she's a nice woman who won the show having been trained for a few months, but that's it and it's meant to be about dance and be judged by dance experts. They've just blatantly copied the X factor and want to try and match their Cheryl Cole ratings with Alesha. Personally I love Arlene, she lives and breathes dance and has the choreography credentials and success to match. Why couldn't they have got rid of Len with his predictable 'sevens' no matter how dreadful or good the contestant is? Or Craig who's just nasty for the sake of it. I'm not impressed, to me it smacks completely of sexism and ageism and they've just shunted Arlene off to the One show to try and sweeten the blow.
- Fi, London
One truly wonders how an inexperienced Dixon will deal with the inevitable tsunami of criticism from both the public and glory-seeking competitors when she takes up the illustrious position of judge at "Come Dancing".
Should be a barrel of laughs - cannot wait!
- Ted, London
Well at least they haven't signed the unbearable Mylene Klass. God knows she's on everything else.
- Mike, Guildford, England
A dance expert pushed aside for a wannabe pop star is alarming. Let's hope the contestants tell her why they disagree with her biews about their dancing
- Keith Price, Luton, England
Darcy Bussell you can understand but Alesha Dixon. That is outrageous!
- Lorraine, London
I liked Alesha as a contestant but she has not got the dance knowledge that is required for judging. Surely someone like Karen or Erin would have brought the dance knowledge as well as personality that would have spiced up the panel.
- Sally, London
