Former Strictly judge makes plea to BBC bosses and says scandal will 'never be fully behind them'

Ex-Strictly Come Dancing justice Arlene Phillips has had her accidental connected the ungraded surrounding the BBC show

Former Strictly Come Dancing justice Arlene Phillips has waded into the ungraded surrounding the BBC show.

The 81-year-old dancing fable and adept was an OG Strictly justice alongside Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and existent justice Craig Revel Horwood. She held the presumption for 4 years, from 2004 to 2008, earlier being replaced by Alesha Dixon successful 2009.

But Arlene has warned that BBC producers and viewers request to "turn down the pressure" to marque the amusement amusive again. It comes aft the Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington 'bullying' ungraded prompted calls for Strictly to beryllium axed aft past year's series.

Though it has returned this year, the results of the BBC probe into Giovanni's behaviour formed a shadiness implicit its accustomed glitz. Though lone six of Sherlock and Mr Selfridge prima Amanda's complaints were upheld - and each the astir superior ones dismissed - Arlene said bosses request to bring the joyousness backmost arsenic the amusement celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Speaking astatine the Mirror's Pride of Britain Awards, she said: "I ne'er deliberation that it is down them, cipher knows what volition hap successful the future, but I anticipation that radical get joyousness retired of the amusement due to the fact that it has got truthful huge.

"There is truthful overmuch riding connected the professionals, due to the fact that they tin present person a beingness changing vocation successful different ways distant from Strictly. So crook down the pressure, bring backmost the emotion and the joyousness and Strictly volition tally forever."

Dame Arlene was among the stars attending the awards amusement astatine Grosvenor House Hotel successful London connected Monday night, wherever she reflected connected her Strictly past. The prima shared her throughs connected chap justice Craig - who continues to springiness scores connected Strictly. She said: "He's softened a little," earlier joking: "Has helium inactive got the bite? Oh yes, helium tin beryllium a b****!"

It's been reported that though Giovanni discontinue the amusement this year, helium volition inactive look successful a peculiar occurrence celebrating the 20th anniversary, arsenic helium is inactive 1 of the show's longest moving pro dancers, having appeared connected it for 9 years. The look backmost is acceptable to diagnostic "iconic performances and acquainted faces past and present".

According to reports, Giovanni, 34, could beryllium seen successful aged footage from 2021 erstwhile helium was partnered with EastEnders histrion Rose - the archetypal deaf contestant to look connected the show. Together, they privation connected to triumph the Glitterball Trophy and the prize for the astir memorable TV infinitesimal that year.

A root told The Sun: “Giovanni made past erstwhile helium won with Rose truthful footage from their affectional soundless show is acceptable to feature.” The Mirror person reached retired to the BBC for comment.

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