Former ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judge Arlene Phillips put herself forward to replace head judge Len Goodman when he leaves the show after this year’s series.
And not only has Arlene thrown her name into the hat, she also threw a bit of shade in Len’s direction too.
Arlene, who was on the original judging line-up between 2004 and 2009, said she wasn’t surprised Len had decided to quit the BBC dance show because he appeared “tired”, “irritated” and “grumpy” in recent years.
She told the Press Association: “I think Len for a while has been hopping there and back to America. I’m not surprised. I think he’s had enough.
“Actually on the last couple of series sometimes, I know everyone calls him grumpy, but oh my goodness! He really has let the fact that he is tired or irritated show.”
She then added: “That’s what everyone loves about him.”
When she was asked who should take up a chair next to Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell and Bruno Tonioli on the judging panel, Arlene didn’t think twice.
“Me, of course. Who else?,” she replied. “The BBC will do what they want. Anton has been suggested. He’d be a lot of fun.”
She continued: “It’s not as easy judging. It’s not just about knowledge of Ballroom and Latin. There’s so much involved, with the professionals, with the celebrities, with the entertainment. I think you have to be able to deliver both really well.”
The 73-year-old added that Dermot O’Leary’s return to this year’s ‘X Factor’ made her think that a return to ‘Strictly’ was a possibility.
“It’s the first time I ever thought about it,” she said. “I just went ‘You know people can go back’. We’ll see.”
Earlier this week it was reported that professional dancers Anton Du Beke and Brendan Cole were locked in a behind-the-scenes battle to take Len’s seat on the judging panel.
According to The Sun, Anton believes he has the backing of Len himself and former presenter Sir Bruce Forsyth for the high profile job.
But Brendan, who is a judge on the New Zealand version of the show, thinks he has more relevant experience.
As it stands at the moment, Anton is the early favourite with odds of 2/1, whilst Brendan has odds of 20/1.