Arlene Phillips hints at potential return to Strictly after being axed

Axed Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips is sparking excitement with hints of a potential return to the beloved show, 16 years after her unexpected departure. Phillips first graced the judging panel of the popular BBC One dance competition in 2004, quickly winning over audiences. However, in 2008, her contract was not renewed, paving the way for Alesha Dixon to take her place.

At the Pride Of Britain awards earlier this week, Arlene suggested that fans might see her back on the show. She shared, “I’ve been filming something today, which will be coming out soon and is hilarious. It’s something to do with dancing.” When asked directly about a possible return to Strictly, Arlene playfully responded, “Maybe a little chat…”

Arlene’s exit from Strictly was surrounded by controversy, with many speculating about ageism as a factor in her replacement by the younger Alesha Dixon, who was just 30 at the time. Reflecting on the situation, Arlene stated, “I no longer had a place on Strictly, but no agent, no one, to deal with it. It was a really awful moment. I loved Strictly.” In a 2022 interview, she expressed her lingering confusion about the circumstances of her exit: “There was no warning, no discussion. Nothing. There were never any conversations.”

In a more recent interview in July, she revealed to the Mirror her feelings about the matter, admitting to have “accepted but not forgiven” the show. Arlene reminisced about her early involvement in its inception, stating, “I suppose it is something to rejoice, and I can always remind myself I was there at the pilot when nobody ever thought this show was going to be a show.”

As fans eagerly await further details, questions remain: will Arlene Phillips make her long-awaited return to Strictly Come Dancing? The buzz continues, and viewers are certainly keen to see the legendary judge back in action.