Strictly Come Dancing's Arlene Phillips issues brutal five-word admission on ageing
Strictly Come Dancing's Arlene Phillips issues brutal five-word admission on ageing
Arlene Phillips, who was one of the first four judges on the massively popular BBC show, said she'd been asked a certain question by her family that she called a "very good idea"
Dame Arlene worked as one of the original four judges on Strictly
(Image: ITV )
Dame Arlene Phillips has made an unusual declaration to her loved ones about a significant event, stating she doesn't "need any more" in her life.
The distinguished choreographer, famed for leading the television dance crew Hot Gossip and being one of the original panel members on the acclaimed BBC dance contest until her departure in 2009, is turning the page as her 82nd birthday approaches.
Since then, Arlene, who turns 82 next week, has appeared on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, as the oldest celebrity contestant ever to take part in the show and has continued to be a key figure in the dance world.
Yet, as the theatre director and former judge faces her next birthday, she has revealed that she was presented with a certain question from her family that she ultimately dubbed a "very good idea."
Speaking to the Mail, Arlene recalled: "My family said, 'Do you just want to skip it?' I said, 'That sounds like a very good idea'. So, I'm skipping my birthday. I've had so many amazing birthdays - I don't need any more."
Arlene was presented with a certain question from her family
(Image: Getty Images )
Article continues below
Last December, Arlene divulged her secret to maintaining her svelte figure well into her eighties, confessing she abides by a certain "dieting rule". For Arlene, staving off cravings for crisps or chocolate involves always having a pack of chicory to hand.
Despite having a healthy go-to distraction for hunger pangs, she admits that there are times when she indulges herself, reflecting: "This has not been a good year for my weight, not at all."
Arlene Phillips has also shared her relaxed attitude towards food in her 80s, saying: "Sometimes I make a decision that I'm going to eat frugally and carefully, and my mind can stick with it. Other times I just think, 'You're in your eighties - you can have what you want. Make sure you're enjoying everything you eat!'"
She expressed her thoughts on weight loss jabs, revealing she wishes she "had the courage" but has an aversion to injections. Phillips mentioned she would love to shed the extra 14 lbs that "seem to have attached" to her body.
The former Strictly Come Dancing judge, who was part of the show from 2004 to 2008, was succeeded by Alesha Dixon in 2009. Alesha, the show's 2007 winner, was later replaced.
Arlene ultimately dubbed the question a "very good idea"
(Image: ITV )
Article continues below
The current judging panel comprises Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood, and Anton Du Beke. Meanwhile, Arlene has had a diverse career, working on music videos with icons like Tina Turner, Elton John, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston.
Her choreography expertise has been showcased in notable musical and film productions, including We Will Rock You and the 1982 film adaptation of Annie. She also held the role of "creative dramaturg" in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
42 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Dave Myers' widow says memorial motorcycle ride has become ‘more than a tribute'
Motorcyclists returned to the TV chef's hometown of Barrow-in-Furness on Saturday, a year on from the first Dave Day, in memory of the 66-year-old who died last year following a battle with cancer. Myers was part of the motorcycle-riding cooking duo the Hairy Bikers with co-presenter Si King, who also attended the event at the weekend. A post shared by The Hairy Bikers (@hairybikers) 'It's magical and amazing. Last year we had the bike ride and then a concert, but this year there's been a lot more. It's been a full weekend of events,' Myers told BBC Breakfast. 'It just started with a bike ride. Started at Ace Cafe in London. We were in the sun. It was scorching hot at some points, water just dripping off all of us.' She added: 'The last stop that we planned, we couldn't do it because it was packed with bikes. 'So there were about 7,000 bikes in Burton-in-Kendal and we had to go past it. We couldn't stop. 'We got into Barrow earlier than we planned anyway, because of missing one stop, and we had about 40,000 bikes again on the roads this year. 'So many messages that I received from drivers on the other side of the motorways saying how amazing that was and how tearful they were to see the convoy. So (it was) really magical, beautiful. 'Then when we arrived there, we had a concert waiting for us. And on Saturday, a bike exhibition, bike stand, the Dave museum… It's so emotional.' She added: 'I'm on a high, very tired because I think I had a couple of hours sleep the whole weekend. But it was so uplifting and so wonderful to see all those people from all over the country coming to pay a tribute. 'And it became a little bit more than just a tribute. It was an occasion for people to manifest. 'Whether they were going through grief, through loss, whether they just needed a friendship, or a friend to talk to. 'I had a book signing, and I spoke with about 300 people that were there, and every one of them had a story about their health or about learning to cook watching Dave and Si on the TV because they've been part of people's living rooms for more than 20 years. And it's just amazing to see the legacy that they have.' Dave Day 2025 raised money for NSPCC Childline and CancerCare North Lancashire and South Cumbria, an independent charity providing therapy and support to people affected by cancer. Last year the memorial ride raised £127,460.60, according to the Dave Day website. King and Myers were friends for more than three decades and fronted a series of cooking and travel programmes on the BBC from 2004. Myers' death came while the pair's last series, The Hairy Bikers Go West, was being aired – seeing them travel along the west of the UK from Scotland down to Devon. Outside of their travelogue series, Myers competed on Strictly Come Dancing and the duo published more than 25 cookery books.
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish wingsuit daredevil Liam Byrne dies in Alps crash
Mr Byrne, from Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, featured in a recent BBC documentary called The Boy Who Can Fly. He was described as a very experienced wingsuit flyer - which is a type skydiving which involves wearing a special suit with webbing to allow mid-air lift - and had completed thousands of jumps during his career. His parents, Mike and Gillian, confirmed to BBC Scotland News that their son had died. READ MORE: Ex-Marine makes first 'wingsuit' jump from British mountain Scots adventurer who is the real James Bond "We would like to remember Liam not just for the way he left this world, but for how he lived in it," a family statement said. "Liam was fearless, not necessarily because he wasn't afraid but because he refused to let fear hold him back. He chased life in a way that most of us only dream of and he soared. "Skydiving and base jumping was more than just a thrill for Liam - it was freedom. It was where he felt most alive." The statement added: "Liam was more than just an adventurer. He was a son, brother, grandson, cousin and friend. He was a source of laughter and strength. "He inspired all of us and made life better with his bold spirit and kind heart. We will miss Liam's wild energy and contagious laugh.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
'I'm riding 1,000 miles to get to Glastonbury - people think I'm crazy'
One festivalgoer has taken his journey to Glastonbury to all new lengths as he's been cycling 100km a day for almost a month in a bid to get to Worthy Farm from Madrid, Spain The countdown to Glastonbury is fast approaching, with mere days to go before hundreds of thousands of festivalgoers pitch up their tents for five days of spectacular performances. While many will be travelling by car, train or coach, one man is so dedicated to the UK's biggest festival that he's riding a whopping 100km a day on his bike to get there! Ollie White, 25, started his lengthy journey at the end of May from Madrid, Spain, where he lives and works as a content creator for La Liga, the Spanish football league. Over the course of almost a month, he has ventured across majestic mountains, the biggest sand dune in Europe, serene coastlines and desert-like landscapes with just a backpack, a tent and his bicycle. In total, Ollie will travel over 1,600km, or 994 miles, to Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, racking up 62 miles a day. With just a few days to go until the gates open at Glastonbury on Wednesday, 25 June, at 8 am, Ollie has almost completed his trek and has been documenting his journey on TikTok and Instagram every day. In his most recent update on Sunday, 22 June, Ollie confirmed that he reached Plymouth before heading to Totnes, Devon, where he'd stay the night. He is hoping to reach Glastonbury by Tuesday, 24 June. When asked by the BBC why he opted to ride from Madrid to Worthy Farm, he simply said: "I have a ticket for Glastonbury, so why not cycle?" Speaking further about his experience, he also shared with the news outlet: "A lot of people think I'm crazy for doing this, but for me it doesn't seem too crazy. "It's just a challenge I've set myself and, at the end of the day, once you've done all the preparation, you just have to get on the bike each day and do the kilometres." He described his adventure as "absolutely incredible" and that "everything has been really positive". He's spent time camping alone in secluded, yet beautiful spots across Europe and the UK, while taking in nature and the incredible scenery during each leg of his journey. When he finally reaches his end location, Ollie has a list of performances lined up to watch during the weekend at Glastonbury, including Neil Young, Loyle Carner, Kneecap, Caribou, Scissor Sisters and Kaiser Chiefs. He adds that Neil Young has been a particularly good soundtrack while riding through endless countries.
