Arlene Phillips doesn't need 'Strictly Come Dancing'

Monday, 29 June 2009

Arlene Phillips can't imagine anyone taking her place on 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

The 66-year-old choreographer is rumoured to have been replaced on the judging panel of the celebrity dance contest, but insists she has several other projects to keep her busy.

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Speaking on Radio 4's 'Desert Island Discs' show - which was recorded before the rumours of her being axed surfaced - about the possibility of being replaced by a younger star, she said: "I see it as my chair, but the BBC can do whatever they wish.

"I have got so many other things. Life will go on."

Singer Alesha Dixon - who won the contest in 2007 - is reportedly set to replace Arlene on the next series of the show later this year.

Meanwhile, head judge Len Goodman - who also presides over the show's US equivalent 'Dancing With The Stars' - has revealed he has secretly been battling prostate cancer.

The 65-year-old panellist underwent an operation to remove a tumour three weeks ago after discovering he had the disease in March.

Len, who refused to undergo surgery until he had finished filming in the US, said: "I could have said 'sorry' and not done the show, but the doctors felt I wasn't riddled with it and it wasn't so far advanced that it was a life-or-death scenario.

"It takes a few weeks to get everything set up for the operation anyway, so I went ahead and did the show. I had the surgery done as soon as I got back from America."

"No-one at the BBC knows. I didn't want to tell everyone - it's not necessary to blabber it out to everyone. I've only told half a dozen people."

Len insists he feels fit now and can't wait to get back on the golf course.

He added: "You're a bit sore for a while and you can't play golf, which is the biggest blow at the moment. But I will be able to in a month's time or so, I can't wait. I will be back in September for sure."