Sister act! Strictly’s Shirley and Arlene on the double
WITH glossy chestnut locks and matching cherry red lips, you could be forgiven for thinking they were sisters.
But while Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas and her predecessor Arlene Phillips look remarkably alike they are 17 years apart in age.
The dancing duo turned heads on Monday evening as they attended a gala event for Craig Horwood’s new role as Miss Hannigan in the musical Annie.
Miss Phillips, 74, wore a dramatic red bolero jacket with sparkling embellishment over a black top. She teamed it with a matching glittery skirt and delicate black heeled boots.
Miss Ballas, 57, wore a leather jacket, floral scarf and a black trilby.
The new judge, who has been criticised by some fans for being ‘too technical’ in her assessments, posed with the show’s contestants Debbie McGee, Chizzy Akudolu and Alexandra Burke. Miss Phillips was a judge on Strictly for four years before being replaced by Alesha Dixon in 2009.
Her surprise sacking prompted an ageism row, with choreographer and former dancer Miss Phillips admitting this year that she still does not know why she lost the job.
‘I’ve never really been given a real reason,’ she said. ‘I don’t think I will ever know.’