ARLENE: I’M 66, I’M BOUND TO GO

Rumours persist that the Hot Gossip choreographer, 66, is to be dropped in favour of the show’s 2007 winner, pop star Alesha Dixon, 30.

In a recording of Desert Island Discs made before the stories started, presenter Kirsty Young asks Phillips: “Do you worry someone will say, ‘Actually, we are going to sit a lovely little 24-year-old bosomy girl next to you Arlene because we think it will draw in viewers because they do that in X-Factor’?”

Arlene replied: “When that happens, and I am sure that will happen at some point, I have got so many other things in my life. I’ll miss it… but life will go on.” Ratings rival ITV’s X-Factor boasts Cheryl Cole, 25, as a judge.

Strictly’s other judges are Len Goodman, 65, Bruno Tonioli, 53, and Craig Revel Horwood, 44. Its hosts are Bruce Forsyth, 81, and Tess Daly, 38.

Desert Island Discs is on Radio 4 today at 11.15am