Arlene Phillips returns to Strictly on Sunday night for the first time since she was axed in ageism row nine years ago
Arlene has choreographed a number featuring eliminated Strictly pros and dance troupe Candoco for the results show
ARLENE Phillips is returning to BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing this weekend as a choreographer – nine years after she was brutally sacked from the judging line-up.
The dance expert, 75, has created a performance which will appear on Sunday night’s results show starring the Strictly pros and disabled and non-disabled dance group Candoco.
It is the first time she has returned to the show since being replaced by Alesha Dixon, 40, in 2009 over an “ageism” row at the BBC — and admitted she had found it difficult.
Speaking of her return to the show in an exclusive interview, Arlene told The Sun: “I did this because this is where my heart lies. I didn’t do this about resolving anything with Strictly.
“Was it hard for me to say yes? I’ve got to tell you, it was really hard.”
Arlene is rehearsing with the troupe at Strictly’s Elstree studio tomorrow ahead of filming Saturday night.
She said it would be “emotional” to return to the studio but insisted she hadn’t decided whether she will watch the main event from the audience on Saturday evening.
Arlene added: “I’m not sure because I am supposed to be at an event anyway that day.
“But I am not sure, at the moment I haven’t replaced myself. So of course it would be very emotional to be there in the studio.”
The performance to David Bowie’s Life on Mars will feature ten Candoco dancers, disabled and non-disabled, dancing with ten of the eliminated Strictly professionals including Janette Manrara, 35, and hunk Gorka Marquez, 28.
Arlene was sacked from Strictly Come Dancing in 2009 and replaced with Alesha Dixon, 40, on the panel causing an ageism storm.
Speaking in an interview last year, Arlene said: “I’ve never really been given a real reason [as to why I was axed]. I don’t think I will ever know the answer.”
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The incident even made it to the House of Commons where former Minister for Women Harriet Harman, 68, called for the BBC to reinstate Arlene on the show.
Arlene’s replacement Alesha left Strictly in 2012 to join rival Saturday night show Britain’s Got Talent on ITV.
She was replaced by ballerina Darcey Bussell, 49, the following year.