When it comes to high talented choreographers with decades in the theater industry, whose work is awarded, rewarded, and praised, we have to tip our hats in favor of Dame Arlene Phillips, a woman whose job in musical masterpieces like “Annie”, “Saturday Night Fever”, “Hot Gossip” and “Strictly Come Dancing” is incredible. Still, why Did Arlene Phillips leave Strictly?
Yet, we must take a moment, go back in time and check out a very controversial moment in her career when all of a sudden the BBC decided to replace her without any explanation. Her sacking was controversial and sparked the rage of fans, tabloids, the press and even politicians in office at the time.
Was it poor performance? A drop in ratings? A managerial decision? Today, we’re going to find out, not only that, but also what is she doing at the moment after all these years.
Who Is Arlene Phillips?
Dame Arlene Phillips is one of Britain’s most talented choreographers, tv judges, presenters, play directors and talent scouts that the country has ever seen. From working as a choreography and stage director for high-end West End and Broadway musicals to shows like “So You Think You Can Dance”.
The Laurence Olivier Award recipient was shocked when the BBC announced that Strictly Come Dancing would make changes to “refresh the show” and without any notice, sacked her.
Why Did Arlene Phillips Leave Strictly?
Up to this date, even Phillips herself doesn’t know the reasons why she was sacked from Strictly and replaced by Alesha Dixon, a much younger woman who had won Strictly. The Dame and 78-year-old choreographer was shocked to learn of the piece of news. And the decision to have her removed struck her profoundly, she somatized it, feeling ill in her stomach, crampy, and crying inconsolably.
The piece of news of Phillips leaving Strictly in a “just like that” manner sparked criticism amongst fans, press, and tabloids, who quickly came in her support.
The news was so shocking at the time that Harriet Harman, then Minister for Women and Equality made a case for that in the House of Commons, quoting that she was sacked because of her age, and demanded proper response from the BBC, but the network never really paid attention to that request, and tries to whitewash the decision by saying it wasn’t about an age issue.
Grease
The choreographer, who was in charge of the return of “Grease” to the stages working with Peter Andre was at the time very happy that the lauded musical was going back to its roots. She was preparing an entire choreography for songs that even appear in the John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John film adaptation.
Philips, even at her age has an incredible work rate that would dwarf most choreographers her junior. The current director of The Cher Show with Oti Mabuse acknowledges her days of thunder are way gone, but that won’t stop her from doing what she’s passionate about.
Impacted By The Pandemic
During the pandemic, the shutdowns impacted her work just like everyone else, the theater industry was profoundly shaken, and in those days she really didn’t know what to do, so, like all of us, she followed the government mandate, took the jab, and stayed at home. Staying at home wasn’t easy for a woman whose work rhythm is turbo-charged, so she said to the press she had to deal with some form of mental breakdown that required care. She’s better now.
Would Arlene Philips Return To Strictly?
When asked about it, Dame Arlene Phillips keeps it professional, despite not feeling great about her sacking. She wants to keep a strong professional relationship, focus on spending time with her family and expresses just how happy she is when her family came forward to console her when they gave her the bad news.
Philips not only worked in “Grease”, she also developed the choreography for the Shakespearian adaptation on stage of “Midsummer’s Night Dream”, with Gwnedoline Christie, known for her role as Brienne of Tarth in the HBO high-fantasy saga Game of Thrones.
While she’s not at Strictly, she’s trying to stay busy, and pictures herself working all the time. She’s talented and if the possibility of returning pops up, she’ll definitely have to consider it.
