Arlene returns for Strictly tour

The original judging panel will reunite for the live tour

Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips is to return to the show's judging panel, but only for the tour.

Promoters say Phillips was hired before she was replaced on the main show and it was not a reaction to viewer anger at the decision.

More than 4,000 people complained after the 66-year-old was dropped and the BBC was forced to defend claims of ageism.

Phillips' replacement, Alesha Dixon, will not take part in the tour. She is said to have other work commitments.

'Winning formula'

Stage Entertainment and Phil McIntyre Entertainment co-produce the tour. A spokesman said: "We recognised that we had a winning formula with audiences, so at the end of the 2009 dates we asked Arlene to join next year's tour."

Phillips will rejoin Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood on the judging panel for the 33 shows.

The arena tour, which features past and present celebrities and professionals from the show, will start in Manchester on 15 January.

It ends in Newcastle on 21 February. The tour will also take in Liverpool, Birmingham, Nottingham, Sheffield, London, Glasgow and Belfast.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version