Strictly Come Dancing’s ex judges – where are they now from Darcey Bussell to Arlene Phillips and Len Goodman
STRICTLY Come Dancing has had a very solid judging line-up for a show that's been on air for nearly 20 years.
In fact, some of the panel are still firmly in place and not actually looking all that much older (hello, Craig Revel-Horwood).
However, some notable stars have left the panel over the years, including ballroom legends including head judge Len Goodman.
After disappearing were Alesha Dixon, Darcey Bussell and Arlene Phillips, whose departure caused a national outcry.
But where are Strictly's most legendary judges now? We found out...
Len Goodman
Ballroom dancing machine Len clocked up an impressive 16 years on Strictly Come Dancing before standing down in 2016.
Like Bruno Tonioli, he also appeared on the big-budget (and, you would imagine, better paid) American version, Dancing With The Stars.
The 77-year-old opted to keep just that gig rather than endure the exhausting long-haul flights week after week involved with doing both.
But he still pops up on British TV - remember the gameshow Partners In Rhyme anyone? - and has run a ballroom dancing school in Kent for 40 years.
Len also found a niche as the king of nostalgia, hosting a Radio 2 show of music he grew up with plus the BBC's Dance Band Days.
Arlene Phillips
Dance legend Arlene was a Strictly Come Dancing legend but was replaced on the show in 2008.
The move led to cries of ageism that even sparked debate in the House of Commons, despite being strongly denied by the BBC.
Arelene, who turned down a spot on the US version of Strictly, did take up a judging role when So You Think You Can Dance? hopped over to the UK in 2010.
She also wrote a series of children's books and remains a towering figure in British theatre, last night coming to watch the first night of new musical Back To The Future.
Alesha Dixon
Former Mis-Teeq star Alesha Dixon didn't had a relatively short life on Strictly, joining in 2009 but jumping ship to Britain's Got Talent three years later.
She is still there, having knocked out nine series of the ITV show alongside Simon Cowell, David Walliams and Amanda Holden.
However, she did return to the BBC in 2019 to present The Greatest Dancer - another Cowell production.
And it's safe to say the music mogul is a fan. Alesha, 42, also judged his spin-off Australia's Got Talent this year and replaced Mel B on America's Got Talent: The Champions.
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Darcey Bussell
Classy Darcey, once of the world's top ballerinas, joined Strictly in 2012 as a replacement for the departing Alesha.
She knows a thing or two about pressure - performing that same year at the London Olympics closing ceremony.
The 52-year-old star stood down from Strictly in 2019 but continues to work in telly with her Channel 4 series Darcey Bussell's Wild Coasts of Scotland recently finished airing.
Bruno Tonioli
Long-time star Bruno is still a member of the Strictly UK judging panel - but we're going to have to live without his windmilling arms for a while.
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He is being replaced on the upcoming series by pro dancer Anton Du Beke, though will appear on the LA-based Dancing With The Stars.
The 65-year-old Italian, a fixture on Strictly since the start, was also ruled out because of last year's flight restrictions but is expected to return in 2021.
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