Arlene Phillips deems BBC Strictly a ‘bad experience for older women’ following show controversy

Strictly Come Dancing’s 20th series is underway, with the milestone occasion proving the competition show remains popular after two decades.

However, it’s no secret the series has been embroiled in scandal this year, but the Giovanni Pernice investigation isn’t the first time the show’s seen controversy.

Back in 2009, judge Arlene Phillips’ replacement on the panel by young singer and series winner Alesha Dixon prompted widespread outrage and complaints of ageism and sexism.

While Phillips, 81, hasn’t been a part of the show since 2008, she has come forward to say it can be “a bad experience” for older women.

Speaking at the recent Women of the Year Awards, the former dancer admitted: “I don’t particularly like the way older women are perceived [on the show].”

Speaking to the Express, she continued: “I don’t like that there is a certain, there are some people who are phenomenal as they age and it’s not that they should have danced before, but the one thing I don’t like about Strictly is many of the older women who take part are really serious about it, as they should be, but they also take it to heart and that breaks them as women.”

She continued: “So if you are totally willing to engage in it in a way that, ‘oh I’m doing this for me, I don’t care what I do, I don’t care what people say, I’m just going to have a go and if I’m s**t, I’m s**t, just come along and laugh at me,’ not many people can do that.

“So I think for some it’s been a bad experience. And Strictly should never be a bad experience.”

The remarks come just as the door finally closes on the BBC investigation into the programme.

The probe was sparked by last year’s constant Amanda Abbington, 52, who made “bullying” allegations against her dance partner Giovanni Pernice, 34.

The Sherlock actress decided to pull out of the 2023 series on week five before going on to make official complaints to the BBC.

Pernice denied the accusations and after a months-long investigation, it was revealed last week that six of Abbington’s 17 allegations had been upheld. The corporation also apologised to the actress.

Summing up the findings of the probe, the broadcaster said last Monday: “The BBC has now concluded its review into the complaints made by Amanda Abbington against Giovanni Pernice.

“We take any allegations of bullying and harassment very seriously and this review has taken time due to its complex nature and our desire to ensure a rigorous and robust process was undertaken.”

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The statement continued: “We have assessed the complaints and we have upheld some, but not all, of the complaints made.

“We want to apologise to Amanda Abbington and to thank her for coming forward and taking part. We know this would not have been an easy thing to do.

“At the time, although the production team took steps to address the issues as they understood them, ultimately these were not enough.

“This is why the measures we have taken to further strengthen our existing protocols are so important.

“The BBC heard from a number of individuals in making its findings. We want to thank them for participating.

“The BBC has already taken extensive steps to enhance our duty of care for everyone on the show and a full note of these steps is published alongside this statement”.