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Adrian Chiles steps into Strictly Come Dancing row
Last updated at 09:23am on 28.08.09One Show host Adrian Chiles said today the decision to drop Arlene Phillips as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing was "absolute nonsense".
Controversy: Adrian Chiles has his say
The celebrity dance contest was hit with an ageism row when the 66-year-old Phillips was axed to make way for the much younger singer Alesha Dixon, who won the show in 2007.
Stars of Strictly Come Dancing 2009
The controversy prompted Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw to warn the BBC not to pander to "the cult of youth", and say it would not be acceptable if Phillips had been dropped purely on grounds of age.
Phillips, an experienced choreographer, is to join the One Show as its Strictly reporter for the start of the seventh series next month.
The BBC has consistently rejected accusations of ageism, but Chiles condemned the decision to replace Phillips.
"From a personal point of view, it's absolute bloody nonsense," he told Broadcast magazine.
"They are dealing with issues I don't understand, but I thought it was nonsense."
Yesterday, Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli said he was "surprised" by the decision, but said the new judging panel, which includes former Royal Ballet principal Darcey Bussell, 40, was very exciting.
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Reader views (7)
Perhaps I am cutting off my nose etc but I have decided to not watch Strictly this time- I am fed up with agism regarding women on TV that has crept into the BBC- from newsreaders to panel games. I was a huge fan and I have enjoyed the level of expertise on the panel and seeing people of different ages who know what they are talking about. In society more and more people over 50 are becoming invisible and it's getting worse. What a shame- It reminds me of when the big Banks sacked all managers over 50 in the 1980s only to have to replace them when customers complained and said they would rather discuss their financial affairs with people who have lived a little.
- Jacqui, london England
Aleisha Dixon isn't replacing Arelene Phillips because she is younger. Beacuse of all the voting nonsense last year (and before) they are trying to get in touch with "the common man" with Aleisha Dixon being "the common man", so to speak.
She will toe the line, the saps that give money over will dribblingly follow, and the winner they want will plow on through.
I'm so glad they got Phil Tuffnel on the line-up. Nothing would make me watch this crashing bore in a programme, so I'll do something more useful on a Saturday evening.
- Escobar-Alop-Lop, Camden County
Get real people this program may have started out as family entertainment, however, the BBC in a usual BBC way has decided the audience is primarily the 8-10year olds – the Doctor Who/Robin Hood sector.
A shame really they missed a real chance of having a younger audience being able to enjoy the same mature things as their parents.
- Ian, Reading, England
Does Chiles want Carol Thatcher to replace Arlene Phillips ?
- Everard Digby, Newport Pagnell , Bucks
Why not drop the whole show and stop boring us!
- Never Eat Tuna Again, London
That man Chiles seems to have views on matters even when "[t]hey are dealing with issues I don't understand ... ".
Perhaps he feels that his pompous sense of outrage shown during the Carol Thatcher episode, should encourage him to spout his views on anything and everything.
- Duyfken, East Sussex
i have to agreee - the new panel does sound very exciting - but i wouild prefered if one of the guys had been moved on instead of Arlene and we could have had a panel of 2 boys and two girls - and then the BBC could have leaked comments about in fighting between the 2 female judges to bump up the viewing figures - just like X factor last year!!
Oppitunity missed BBC!!
- Alestare, London
