Arlene Phillips 'wonders how many years she's got left' after facing 'guilt' over Strictly

Arlene Phillips revealed that her “depression was enormous” (Image: Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)

Dame Arlene Phillips has candidly opened up about her age and the "guilt" she felt when she lost her job on Strictly Come Dancing.

The TV choreographer, who was axed from the show by BBC executives in 2009, shot to fame in the 1970s as the head of the dance group Hot Gossip, the Mirror reports.

However, in an interview with The Sun's Fabulous Magazine this week, she explained that now she's hit 81, she's no longer doing "knee slides" and is making efforts to look after her body.

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Arlene said: "So now, at 81, I take more care of mine – I walk more and I don’t do knee slides and drops! Still, this year was the first time I wondered: 'How many years do I have left?'

"At 40, I remember feeling so old. I look back now and think: 'You looked so good!' If I could, I’d tell my younger self not to waste time thinking that I looked awful."

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Arlene addressed being replaced by Alesha Dixon on Strictly Come Dancing (Image: Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)

Later on, she addressed being replaced by Alesha Dixon (then aged 30) on Strictly. She said her manager, Michael, had tragically died the previous day, and when she picked up the phone, she thought it would be in regards to funeral arrangements.

Arlene explained: "My depression was enormous and the guilt that I felt for crying because I lost my job felt wrong – like I shouldn’t even be thinking about it. My whole life was in turmoil."

In July, it was reported that although Arlene, who was on the show from 2004 to 2008, had accepted the decision, she had not "forgiven" them.

Also, in March, she told The Guardian that the shock exit had knocked her "confidence". Arlene formed part of the original line-up of judges when the show started in 2004.

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She worked with Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli for five years, with Craig continuing with the show to this day. Its current hosts are Tess Daley and Claudia Winkleman.

As of July, Arlene was linked to Andrew Lloyd Webber's legendary musical, Starlight Express, as the "creative dramaturg". It has recently returned to London at the Starlight Auditorium at Troubadour Wembley Park.

Over the years, the former judge has made videos with Tina Turner, Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Freddie Mercury, forming Hot Gossip while teaching in London.

In addition, she has worked on major musicals, including We Will Rock You and films such as 1982’s Annie.

Arlene Phillips 'wonders how many years she's got left' after facing 'guilt' over Strictly

Arlene Phillips 'wonders how many years she's got left' after facing 'guilt' over Strictly

Arlene Phillips 'wonders how many years she's got left' after facing 'guilt' over Strictly

Arlene Phillips 'wonders how many years she's got left' after facing 'guilt' over Strictly

Arlene Phillips 'wonders how many years she's got left' after facing 'guilt' over Strictly