Len Goodman hits out at Arlene's 'Strictly' axe

Len Goodman hits out at Arlene's 'Strictly' axe (Image credit: UK Press/PA Photos)

Strictly Come Dancing's head judge Len Goodman has said he fears for the BBC1's show's future after fellow judge Arlene Phillips was axed this week. Speaking to actors' newspaper The Stage shortly after it was confirmed that Phillips was being replaced by former series winner Alesha Dixon, Goodman said, "I hope the BBC is not trying to introduce a younger audience." "I'd imagine the show attracts an older audience to what you'd get on The X Factor. I hope it does not affect the fan base." He added that he hoped the new judging line-up - which also includes ballet dancer Darcey Bussell - would not change the perspective of the panel. "I am sad Arlene is no longer one of the judges because we got to know each other," Goodman admitted. "We all got on, and we knew what to expect, so it sort of changes the whole dynamic of the panel, which is a bit scary." "I do feel sorry for her because we are friends. But who knows, maybe Alesha will be fantastic and bring a different dynamic to the judging panel?" Meanwhile, property guru Kirstie Allsop is reported to be so appalled at the BBC's decision to give Phillips the boot that she is considering quitting TV herself. Allsop, who fronts Location, Location, Location on Channel 4, told The Sun, "I feel very sad for Arlene. TV is a harsh world, I must find myself a new occupation before it's too late!"

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Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix.

An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.