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Judge's Strictly exit unconfirmed | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The BBC has refused to confirm press reports that Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips is leaving the hit Saturday night dance show. | |
The Sun newspaper claimed the 66-year-old choreographer would be replaced by singer and 2007 winner Alesha Dixon. | The Sun newspaper claimed the 66-year-old choreographer would be replaced by singer and 2007 winner Alesha Dixon. |
A BBC spokeswoman said the newspaper reports were "purely speculation". | |
"We can't confirm anything about the new series of Strictly yet, but we are always looking at ways to maximise viewers' enjoyment of our shows." | "We can't confirm anything about the new series of Strictly yet, but we are always looking at ways to maximise viewers' enjoyment of our shows." |
Dixon is reportedly being lined up to join panellists Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman, amid suggestions that BBC bosses are looking to attract a younger audience. | Dixon is reportedly being lined up to join panellists Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman, amid suggestions that BBC bosses are looking to attract a younger audience. |
"There is always speculation," Dixon, 30, told Sky News. | "There is always speculation," Dixon, 30, told Sky News. |
Dixon won the dance contest in 2007 with partner Matthew Cutler | Dixon won the dance contest in 2007 with partner Matthew Cutler |
"Two months ago they were reporting that I was going to take over from Brucie," she said, referring to the show's 81-year-old host Bruce Forsyth. | "Two months ago they were reporting that I was going to take over from Brucie," she said, referring to the show's 81-year-old host Bruce Forsyth. |
"But once you are part of Strictly Come Dancing, you are part of the family and I do feel that about the show." | "But once you are part of Strictly Come Dancing, you are part of the family and I do feel that about the show." |
"It it wasn't for Strictly I wouldn't be here because it really has changed my life," she added. | "It it wasn't for Strictly I wouldn't be here because it really has changed my life," she added. |
The BBC dance show reaches its seventh series this autumn, and has proved a popular draw among Saturday night viewers. | The BBC dance show reaches its seventh series this autumn, and has proved a popular draw among Saturday night viewers. |
However, the show faces stiff competition from ITV1's X Factor, which is typically favoured by younger viewers. | However, the show faces stiff competition from ITV1's X Factor, which is typically favoured by younger viewers. |
Phillips is a renowned theatre choreographer and has worked on numerous West End productions, films and pop videos. She was also responsible for 1970s dance troupe Hot Gossip. | Phillips is a renowned theatre choreographer and has worked on numerous West End productions, films and pop videos. She was also responsible for 1970s dance troupe Hot Gossip. |
In 2007, she devised and collaborated on the BBC talent show Dance X with fellow Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli. | In 2007, she devised and collaborated on the BBC talent show Dance X with fellow Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli. |