Arlene Phillips smiling on the red carpet
TV

Strictly news: ‘Fragile’ Arlene Phillips details true impact of show axe

The former judge couldn't believe she had been axed

Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips screamed and sobbed for two days after hearing the news she was being axed fro the BBC dance show.

The legendary choreographer was sacked from the judging panel in 2009 aged 64.

Rumours claimed she was dropped because the BBC felt she was too old.

She was replaced by former Strictly champion Alesha Dixon, who is 35 years her junior.

Strictly star Arlene Phillips smiling on the red carpet
Arlene Phillips has revealed she sobbed and screamed for two days after Strictly sacking (Credit: Splash News)

Strictly news: Arlene Phillips opens up about axe

Arlene insists she has never had an explanation to this day but has now opened up about how she felt when she got the call.

Read more: Naga Munchetty under fire over her appearance on A Question of Sport

She told the Mirror: “I gave myself 48 hours to kick, scream, cry and sob, and eat scones with cream and jam, then I made myself wake up and get on with it.

“I reflect and think, wow, I really didn’t ask the questions I needed to ask. I was very fragile because I had a bereavement the day before [her manager died].”

She added: “I wanted to know in detail and I wanted to know the real reason at the point when they decided for me to go, yet they kept me hanging on for so long with the possibility that there would be five judges.”

Would Arlene Phillips Consider a Return to Strictly? | Lorraine

Arlene’s move to ITV

Last year Arlene joined the cast of I’m A Celebrity.

I was very fragile because I had a bereavement the day before.

Read more: Dame Deborah James’ dying wish revealed

She was voted out first by the public.

Earlier this year she made her debut on Strictly rival Dancing on Ice.

arlene phillips dancing on ice
Arlene most recently appeared on Dancing on Ice (Credit: ITV)

The choreographer joined the judging panel for a special appearance using her years of dance experience to help the celebrities.

And the ex-Strictly judge certainly made an impact on the panel, as she awarded the first 10 of the series.

Arlene went down a storm with many of the show’s fans.

One said: “Dame Arlene Phillips is an expert in the field so her scores are more realistic which is why she has been brought in. The other judges score high for their own popularity!!”

Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think.