As the current series of Strictly Come Dancing is now in full swing, it's been revealed that a massive nine years after she was axed from the show, Arlene Phillips will be returning! Arlene won't be a permanent addition, however, the former Strictly Come Dancing judge will be choreographing a dance for the professionals on Sunday's show!
News of Arlene's return was revealed on the Strictly spin-off show, It Takes Two. The former judge will be working with Candoco, a dance company made up of disabled and non-disabled dancers, along with the Strictly professionals for Sunday's show.
Arlene admitted her decision to return to the show was "really hard". As yet, Arlene has not revealed if she will stay to watch the main shows at the weekend.
The 75-year-old choreographer last appeared as a judge on Strictly back in 2008, later being replaced by Alesha Dixon. At the time Arlene's removal from the judging line-up caused much controversy as many believed it was due to her age. The BBC later denied ageism was a factor in changing the show's line-up.
Meanwhile, in the current series of Strictly, fans were worried that professional dancer Kevin Clifton could be about to leave the quit the show. Kevin, who is partnered with journalist Stacey Dooley, has been on the show since 2013 and recently split from his wife and fellow Strictly professional Karen Clifton.
RADIO Strictly Come Dancing couples - slider with cover pic
1 of 12Swipe through to see which couples found love on Strictly Come Dancing...
2 of 12Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole
On the first ever series of Strictly back in 2001, news reader Natasha Kaplinsky and professional dancer Brendan Cole were paired together.Despite both being in other relationships at the time, both Natasha and Brendan called off their romances and started dating after the series finished. Their relationship didn't last long though, and they are now both happily married to other people.
3 of 12Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna
It was love at first sight for former Hollyoaks actress Ali Bastian and her Strictly partner Brian Fortuna in 2009. With the pair both single at the time, Ali and Brian started a relationship, only for it to end the following year.
4 of 12Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff
When boxer Joe Calzaghe appeared on the show in 2009, he announced to the press that his relationship with his partner Jo-Emma Larvin had come to an end, just one week into his Strictly journey. Joe's professional dance partner Kristina Rihanoff was more than a shoulder to cry on, with the pair starting a romance. They went on to date for four years after show, before announcing their split.
5 of 12Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff
After her relationship with Joe Calzaghe fell apart, Kristina later met another Strictly contestant, England rugby ace Ben Cohen. Both Ben and Kristina have denied rumours that Ben was still with his ex-wife Abby Blayney at the time they started dating, with the pair claiming they didn't get together until a year later. Things are going well however, the pair now share a daughter together called Milena and are in a happy relationship.
6 of 12Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev
After her split from Joe Swash, actress Kara Tointon appeared on the 2010 series of Strictly and mended her broken heart with a little help from professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev.Despite this, things didn't work out for the couple and Kara is now loved-up with her boyfriend Marius Jensen, with rumours suggesting she could be pregnant with the couple's first child.
7 of 12Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev
When Countdown presenter Rachel Riley appeared on Strictly in 2013 she was married to her ex-husband Jamie Gilbert. However, after just 16 months of marriage, the pair announced they were set for divorce in November 2016. Fast-forward to 2016 and Rachel revealed she was in a relationship with her 2013 Strictly partner Pasha Kovalev... And they are still together!
8 of 12Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice
Georgia May Foote was dating her Coronation Street co-star Sean Ward when she joined the show in 2015. But when rumours circulated that the couple's relationship wasn't going well, they split in December 2015. Georgia was then spotted getting very cosy with her Strictly partner Giovanni, with the pair enjoying a holiday to Disneyland Paris for New Year.Despite this, the couple ended their relationship in August 2016.
9 of 12Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg
After weeks of rumours, Joe Sugg appeared to confirm his relationship with Strictly Come Dancing partner Dianne Buswell with a photo on Instagram, the caption read, 'I may not have won the glitter ball, but I've won something a million times more special.'
10 of 12Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez
Radio presenter Gemma Atkinson and professional dancer Gorka Marquez were first linked in the 2017 series, and got together whilst on the 2018 annual tour together. They moved in together in December 2018.
11 of 12Giovanni Pernice and Ashley Roberts
Professional dancer Giovanni Pernice and Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts were forced to deny they were dating during the 2018 series, but Giovanni confirmed the relationship in January 2019.In January 2020, the duo confirmed they'd split.
12 of 12Caroline Flack and AJ Pritchard
Official news on whether these two are dating is yet to be confirmed, but 2014 Strictly winner Caroline Flack was spotted kissing professional dancer AJ Pritchard at the 2019 NTAs.
In a special clip on It Takes Two Kevin was the subject of a 'best bits' segment in which it was mentioned has been in the final four times - but has not yet the Glitterball trophy.
After the video clip, Kevin said, "We all would love to win the Glitterball, but at the end of the day it's just about bringing joy and entertainment and fun. I'm ridiculously proud to be a part of Strictly, often I think like this is my job, it's something I'll be incredibly grateful for."
This caused many fans to worry he could be about to leave the show.
Strictly Come Dancing continues this Saturday on BBC One at 6.50pm.
NOW WATCH: All the winners of Strictly Come Dancing
If your favourite music icons are the Spice Girls and your favourite Ks are Kylie and the Kardashians, you need heat Radio in your life! heat Radio is portable, so you can listen to us on the move. Simply download our app from your phone’s app store or listen on DAB Digital Radio UK, on Freeview Channel 716 or online at heatradio.com and at heatworld.com. We’re on all the smart speakers too, just say “play heat Radio".