Meet Arlene Phillips – I'm A Celebrity 2021 contestant and former Strictly judge
Everything you need to know about the ITV show's oldest ever star.
The celebrities have entered the Castle and that means the competition has really begun.
The ten famous faces who make up the I’m A Celebrity 2021 line-up have now headed into the Castle, and one of those celebrities is Strictly Come Dancing judge and beloved choreographer Arlene Phillips.
Before heading into the show, Arlene revealed: "I still can’t believe I am doing it either but I love and admire everybody who has done the show, I admire their bravery and I have spoken to so many people who have done it.
"Everyone has loved the experience and told me how it has added something new to their lives and that is why I have said yes this year after being approached before."
So, as I’m A Celebrity 2021 has now well and truly got underway, here is everything you need to know about this television and dance legend.
Who is Arlene Phillips?
Age: 78
Job: Choreographer
Instagram: @arlenephillips
Twitter: @arlenephillips
Arlene Phillips is a dancer and choreographer best known for her work as one of the original judges on the Strictly Come Dancing panel, where she sat alongside Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood during the first series, which ran from 2004 until 2008. She was replaced by Alesha Dixon in 2009.
In 2018, Phillips returned to the popular dance show as the choreographer of a special performance including Strictly pros as well as disabled and non-disabled dancers from the Candoco Dance Company.
She is also reportedly set to replace John Barrowman as one of the judges on Dancing on Ice 2022, according to The Sun. The job would see her return to prime-time TV for the first time since the BBC axed her from Strictly 13 years ago.
What has Arlene Phillips said about joining I’m A Celebrity 2021?
Speaking about joining I'm A Celebrity, Phillips said she expected Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood to call her "mad".
At 78 years old, Phillips is the oldest I’m A Celebrity contestant to take on the show's notorious challenges. Stanley Johnson is the current record holder, having been 77 when he took part back in 2017.
However, Phillips insists age won’t matter in the castle, saying: “I am always the oldest and so I am used to it.”
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“Food is the least of my worries. I am not afraid of being bored either as I do like to sit and think. It is the trials and challenges that I am most worried about,” she continued.
Asked whether she has her sights on winning, Phillips added: “The most deserving person in there should win. For me, it’s just about gaining something from it and just getting through it all!”
I’m A Celebrity returns to ITV on 21st November. Visit our Entertainment hub for more news and features, or find something to watch with our TV Guide.
Authors
Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.
