Source: Katie Nicholl at Daily Mail
The late arrival of Darcey Bussell to the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel appears to have sent sequins flying.
I hear that Alesha Dixon, who replaced Arlene Phillips earlier this year, was more than a little miffed when the former prima ballerina joined the usual four judges last week.
It also put the production team in a spin as the programme ended before all the judges had a chance to have their say.
‘Alesha’s nose was out of joint when Darcey was brought in,’ says a source.
‘It was understood there would be only four judges.
‘Whispers are flying around that Darcey is being screen-tested as a judge for next season’s show.
‘Alesha hasn’t helped increase the ratings and the rumour is that she won’t be coming back.’
The BBC is also planning to inject further glamour into the show by recruiting American dancer Derek Hough for next year’s series.
Hough, who has appeared on America’s Dancing With The Stars and was a former judge on BBC1′s DanceX, recently visited the UK to see Strictly being filmed.
He is thought to have had talks with producers during his stay.
Meanwhile, in a shock result last night, Ali Bastian and partner Brian Fortuna failed to make it into the Strictly final – despite getting perfect tens from all five judges.
The Bill actress and Fortuna scored 50 out of 50 for their American Smooth but were voted last by the public.
Instead Ricky Whittle will face unlikely finalist Chris Hollins in next week’s final.
It came just a day after the pair – who have been romantically linked – were spotted rowing after Brian had praised fellow dancer Ola Jordan, saying they had ‘a bond’.
Either way their spat didn’t upset their dancing. Judge Craig Revel Horwood said of Ali’s performance: ‘One word, three syllables. Starts with an F, darling. Fabulous.’
Host Bruce Forsyth later added: ‘How can you go out with five tens?’
His comment echoed those who question the point of having judges handing out scores in a competition when it is the public who make the final call as to who stays and who goes.