Former Strictly Come Dancing beauty Rachel Stevens has laid into the BBC for axing veteran judge Arlene Phillips.
The star, who came second in last year’s show, hit out at the bosses’ decision to replace Arlene with 30-year-old singer Alesha Dixon.
She said she thought it was “horrible” if 66-year-old Arlene’s age was the reason she was ditched.
The former S Club 7 singer, 31, added: “I think it’s really bad they have got rid of Arlene. She brought lots of experience to the show and knew what she was talking about.”
Meanwhile, former Strictly contestant Louisa Lytton also blasted the show’s decision.
The 20-year-old actress – who appeared on the TV talent show in 2006 – said: “It will be a great loss. I was on the show a few years back now, but Arlene really looked after me.
“Her criticism was constructive, she taught me an awful lot and she cared about me on that show.
“It is a shame because she knows her stuff and that’s what the programme is about.”
Fans of the show have also blasted the decision, swamping internet forums with support for Arlene.
The show’s professional dancers are said to be fuming about the decision too.
They were reported to have complained to Strictly chiefs that Alesha won’t be as clued up about the techniques behind ballroom dancing.
Arlene was one of the West End’s top choreographers and had been with the show for six series.
The BBC defended its decision by saying that Alesha has “an insight into what dancers go through”.
It was the “right time” to give the format a reshuffle, it added.
Source: thesun.co.uk