Ex-Strictly judges now from tragic death of legend, brutal axe and feud rumours

2023-04-25

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Strictly Come Dancing judges have changed throughout the years, but some of the former panel are the most favoured stars of the show.

The most recent panel shakeup saw Anton Du Beke step in as a judge to replace Bruno Tonioli, who was unable to travel back and forth from the US to the UK.

Tonioli is also a judge on the US programme Dancing with the Stars and has been a member of the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel since the show began in 2004.

Strictly legends have always been adored by fans of the show – and following the death of beloved ex judge Len Goodman, Daily Star has looked at where the ex judges are now.

Len Goodman

Len Goodman was one of the longest serving judges on Strictly Come Dancing, appearing on the show from 2004 until 2016.

He is fondly remembered by audiences for his feature called Len's Lens, where he would look at contestant's dances in detail.

Len sadly died aged 78 from bone cancer, a spokesperson told MailOnline, and died "peacefully" surrounded by his family on Saturday night.

He had been in a hospice in Tunbridge Wells in Kent.

Goodman appeared as a special guest on programmes including Tipping Point and is the founder of the Goodman Dance Academy in Dartford.

Like Bruno Tonioli, Len was also a judge on US series Dancing With The Stars.

Arlene Phillips

Choreographer Dame Arlene Phillips was a judge on Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 until 2008.

She was dropped from the show to be replaced by Alesha Dixon, sparking an age row as at 66, she was 36 years older than the BGT judge.

Speaking about it in 2021, Arlene admitted she "didn't have the strength" to fight the BBC about the decision, telling the Mail: "As a woman I should've thought about it, I should've demanded why the woman had gone, and three men remain.

"I should have asked them to analyse it. I should have had the strength to at least ask for reasons and if not getting the reasons, a damn well apology."

In addition to Strictly Come Dancing, she has also been a judge on So you think you can dance? and the CBC show Over the Rainbow in Canada.

She is currently the choreographer for the UK tour of hit musical Grease, which is visiting theatres around the country until November 2021.

Phillips is also the choreographer for The Cher Show, which will tour the UK from April 2022 to March 2023.

And in more recent news, Arlene became one of the famous faces to head into Gwrych Castle for the 2021 series of I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

Alesha Dixon

Singer, dancer and former Mis-teeq group member Alesha Dixon was a judge on Strictly Come Dancing for three series between 2009 and 2011, replacing Arlene Phillips.

She also lifted the glitterball trophy with her partner Matthew Cutler after winning the series as a contestant in 2007.

Dixon is currently a judge on the ITV show Britain's Got Talent and was a host on BBC show The Greatest Dancer.

She was also due to be a judge on Australia's Got Talent later this year.

However, the show was postponed indefinitely due to the pandemic, said reports.

Alesha has also built bridges with her ex MC Harvey, who she ended her marriage with after discovering he was having an affair with singer Javine.

Speaking this year, MC Harvey revealed the pair had secretly met up at his step-dad's funeral and cleared the air in a phone call after, saying on Anything Goes With James English podcast: "Alesha then rang me, six months before I met my wife, and she said:, ‘I just want you to be happy, Harv.'

"I apologised to her about what happened in the past, we had a mature conversation. We talked about our kids, I said to her: ‘Your kids are beautiful.’ She said: ‘Your kids are beautiful.'"

Darcey Bussell

Former ballerina Dame Darcey Bussell was a judge on Strictly Come Dancing from 2012 until 2018, replacing Alesha Dixon.

Prior to Strictly, Bussell was the former principal dancer for the Royal Ballet, and led a group of dancers in a performance of Spirit of the Flame at the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony.

Motsi Mabuse joined the judging panel in 2019, when Bussell left the show.

Bussell became the President of the Royal Academy of Dance in 2012, and most recently, hosted the British Ballet Charity Gala at the Royal Albert Hall on June 3, 2021.

During her time on the show, rumours flew that Darcey and Shirley were embroiled in a secret "feud", with a source saying in 2017 that Shirley immediately "put Darcey's back up".

They added: "She's theatrical and loud, whereas Darcey is reserved and demure.

"They are professional and civil towards one another at work but they aren't friends."

Darcey later addressed the rumours there was tension between her and Shirley, telling the Daily Telegraph: "Funny that. I don't know why that is. Maybe we ask for it? I'm not sure. If we were in two suits, I wonder if they would treat us different."

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