Arlene was on TV today promoting dancing and was asked about her leaving SCD - it comes at the end of this clip.

I confess my heart went out to her, especially after reading this article.

I found it particularly sad that the on-screen banner described her as "former SCD judge"

She really didn't know how to respond to the presenter's sympathy, and I thought she looked quite hurt.

Thanks for posting that Buddy...much appreciated

Shame to have to see it though...

thanks buddy for sharing this link

how could someone ask arlene who does she feel about leaving s.c.d when it is still a bit raw for her

Thinking about it further I'm glad Arlene has been asked about the subject and she answered in the way she did. She has spoken about it in public now and there are plenty of people fighting her corner, so she really shouldn't say anything more at this time to retain the upper hand over the way the BBC has treated her over this issue. She should tell her side of the story at a later date. Just my opinion of course.

You could see her really struggling to work out how to answer there. Obviously, she can't say anything (a) because if she's been given a position on The One Show, speaking out could jeopardise that; (b) because then she'll look bitter; and (c) because I think she's too professional to slag off her employer. She handled it impressively and came out of that interview looking very, very good.

I agree 100% and that's why I hope she doesn't say much more.

Yup, hopefully that interview is an indicator that she knows when to keep a dignified silence.

She really didn't know how to answer did she? Very, very sad. I thought she did the right thing in not saying anything bad even when Menzies Campbell said what I for one am thinking. She must feel awful and it must be quite humiliating for her

However, I WAS encouraged by how many emails they said they'd had in support of her

I do feel for her . Though as others have said she handled it really well and said enough without saying too much.

I too was impressed - and I hope she realises just how much support she has amongst Strictly fans.

Did anyone else notice her posture - that of a true dancer?

If you wish to make a complaint regarding the sacking of Arlene Phillips from Strictly Come Dancing, go here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/forms/

Already done that!

I love it how many of the people who used to say horrendous things about Arlene are now up in arms about her sacking. Very odd.

I think you'll find most of them are still a bit upset that Alesha beat their favourite in 2007, and they cant quite get over the fact that they were beaten fair and square:yawn:

Ah yes, I didn't think of that one.

I don't think you'll find that at all. Alesha was a very popular winner on this forum, and I've seen plenty of her biggest fans saying they were disappointed with this development.

It almost goes hand in hand actually- a lot of people who wanted Alesha to win cared enough about the show to want the best dancer to win. And now they care enough about the show to want judges who know what they are talking about.

http://www.ianvictoria.co.uk/comedancing5.htm

SCD5 head-to-heads:

Alesha -- 31-36-33-36-35-38-39
Kelly ----- 33-35-34-28-36-36-29-withdrawn upon bereavement

Alesha -- 74-74-76-112
Gethin -- 74-75-70-evicted
Matt D -- 65-55-75-110

Kelly's 34 for American Smooth came after mark deductions by three judges due to Brendan's rule-breaking third lift. Kelly's 28 for Paso came after she seized the matador's job and cape leaving Brendan unemployed, earning a finger-wagging lecture from Len. Kelly's 29 for samba came after she stayed at her dying father's bedside, then had only 7 hours left to learn a basic samba routine, for which moist-eyed Kelly received another ballistic rocket from Len.

Kelly was beaten 4-3 by Alesha in head-to-head scores before her withdrawal upon bereavement.

Gethin's breakthrough came unexpected and late, thrillingly for many (Craig said he was in shock). This sea change made his earlier form irrelevant. In 3 Alesha-Gethin head-to-heads the outcome was level, 1.5 wins for each. Those who were around will remember Alesha and Gethin as joint favourites in the forum popularity poll, on about 43% each, with Matt D a distant third on 14%. Alesha and Gethin were joint-favourites also with nationwide bookies who did not like to bet their own opinions, preferring to adjust their prices to reflect public money.

Matt Di Angelo went into the Final trailing 27-73 in the forum popularity poll, with similar odds offered by nationwide bookies. In head-to-heads Matt D was beaten 4-0 by Alesha. This 20-year-old made the Final after two meltdown dances in the quarter-final then an airlift to safety by phone voters, some of whom in SCD6 fired Len-like ballistic missiles at other phone voters who chose to airlift 64-year-old John to safety.

Too many who saw for themselves are still here.

Very well said. I have nothing whatsoever against Alesha but I think the Beeb has made a very big mistake with this. They'd have been better off finding a different role for Alesha within SCD - Tess' job perhaps!

Having said that though, I don't blame Alesha for this mess and, out of fairness to her, I'm willing to give her a chance. Who knows? We may all be pleasantly surprised.

I have made a complaint because I think the BBC is under estimating the volume of dissatisfaction. The show doesn't go out until September, and it is only then that the vast majority of viewers will respond. By that time it will be too late.

Arlene's friends saying what she can't say herself?

I'm really sad too ! Even sadder that's she's gagged, but those few words say it all to me. She's very unhappy to be put out to grass
It's so maddening. Arlene Phillips to me IS dance - that's what she's always been about, it's been her life. Using her as a reporter is the ultimate insult to her talent and years of experience. Alesha would suit the One Show job much better if you ask me.

Thanks for the articles memmh Well said Cleo Roccos lol

All this makes me wonder what other shows the Beeb will meddle with. We'll perhaps have Masterchef being judged by Jayne Middlemiss next year??

She'd be hardly less qualified than the "ingredients expert".

I do feel for Arlene but this is hardly news. "Freelancer is a bit upset over not having her contract renewed". She was hardly going to reply to her friend with "Yes I've lost a really satisfying, high-profile, ridiculously well paid and low-effort job, but I GET TO SIT ON A SOFA WITH ADRIAN CHILES AND EXPLAIN TO HIM WHAT A PASO DOBLE IS WHILST HE MAKES SARCASTIC COMMENTS! YIPPEE!"

I also don't really get this idea that young people are "out" when Strictly is on. It's on at about 6pm. When I was at Uni I lost count of all the people for whom Strictly was part of their "getting ready to go out" schedule as a piece of undemanding fantasy froth with lots of pretty costumes and gorgeous people. (I think we were the only people in the world happy about the moving of the results show to a Sunday)

Obviously we were real young people, not the imaginary knife-criming hoodies with ASBOs people have decided this a move to satisfy so that point is moot. We also managed to watch X Factor (hungover on a Sunday morning) and graduate with degrees and have brain-cells so we're doubly imaginary, because to hear people speak of it, everyone who watches X Factor is a truculent Turkey Twizzler eating moron who worships Cheryl Cole.

*tries hard to stop laughing*

Good point!

Just watched the clip... got goosebumps and tears in my eyes... I feel for her, she is living and breathing dancing! As mentioned by others, glad she got asked and she answered very good!