Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips has blasted her former colleagues. The 67 year old choreographer has criticized the judges for judging some couples on entertainment and effort, while judging other on technical ability.
Speaking to The Sun she said:
Every time Craig starts talking technically, Bruce interrupts and covers up anything that's negative that Craig might say. I think at that point I might be jumping on the desk and shaking my arms. It does seem that Craig is the only one that really cares about technique. Even Len Goodman, who is a master ballroom dancer, seems less concerned about technique and more concerned with performance. Are they being advised to score on technique? On the ability to master the dance? Or is there a new guide? For me it's quite surreal and obviously playing by a different set of rules. I'm sure some people found Ann's dance amusing and if that's what the criteria is, if it's the amusement and entertainment factor, then everyone needs to be told they can play the same game and have a good time. But it's a mixed bag of rules."
She continued:
"There is no 'you are the winner' or 'you are the number one' in a lot of schools. They try to make every child feel like a winner and it feels a little like that - by entering you are a winner. I love Strictly when the heat is on. When the demands are there and the judges are on one side and the viewers on another and it's like Mount Vesuvius erupting. But now it's less so. It's a 'good on you' for walking on the floor and attempting a dance. As a judge I'm demanding. I'm free with my comments when I see something I love, but I'm quite demanding with people. It's every judge's choice to mark how they feel, but I'm more with Craig."
Phillips was famously sacked from the judging panel back in 2008, in favour of younger Alesha Dixion who won the series, in the previous year.
What do you think about this? Do the judges judge the competition correctly?
