Former 'Strictly' judge Arlene Phillips return confirmed

Arlene Phillips has been confirmed to return to Strictly Come Dancing ahead of the show’s grand final.

Phillips, who resided as a judge until 2009 when she was replaced by current Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon, will make her comeback in the form of choreographing a dance.

As the remaining celebrities and their professional dance partners prepare for the semi-finals, it has been revealed that the former judge has put together a routine that will be performed during the next results show.

The Strictly pros will dance alongside disabled dance group Candoco.

Despite heading back to the show, Phillips admitted that it wasn’t an easy decision to make.

“I did this because this is where my heart lies. I didn’t do this about resolving anything with Strictly,” she told The Sun.

“Was it hard for me to say yes? I’ve got to tell you, it was really hard.”

Whilst Phillips has been hands on behind the scenes, the star admitted that she was unsure about whether she would take a seat in the audience during Saturday’s show.

“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.”

Following her exit from Strictly, Phillips admitted that she wasn’t made aware of why she was being replaced.

“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,” she commented last year.

Meanwhile, the celebrities and their professional partners will be put through their paces when they take to the dancefloor to perform two dances in the hope of making it through another week.

Read more
Noel Edmonds will be ’emperor’ of the jungle
Fired Apprentice reveals co-stars tactics
Mariah Carey reveals embarrassing Michelle Obama encounter