I hate my wrinkles – but Botox is banned

VETERAN choreographer Arlene Phillips, 74, shot to fame as the creator of 1970s dance group Hot Gossip and later became one of the nation’s favourite TV stars as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing.

Growing up in working-class Manchester, we never had much money. My father was a barber and my mother was a dinnerlady. I had a pair of best shoes that I put newspaper in to block up the holes in the soles.

My mother died when I was 15 – and it’s something you never get over. It was such an immense loss that my father became very ill afterwards. He had blood clots because he was grief-stricken.

The best night of my life has to be my 70th birthday. It was at the Bloomsbury Ballroom in London and the guests included the Strictly gang, Andrew Lloyd Webber and the original members of Hot Gossip. We got up on stage and danced to Walk On The Wild Side. I had a very sore head the following day but it was worth it.

The one thing you notice about the Queen is how soft her skin is. She is so beautiful. Her skin is so soft that it is like a powder puff.

Time spent with your children is more precious than having nice possessions. I was so busy working when my daughters Alana and Abi were young that I didn’t spend as much time with them as I could have.

I was 47 when I had Abi – I didn’t even know I was pregnant. I thought the nausea in the mornings was a symptom of the menopause.

I’ll never mess about with Botox and

fillers again. I’ve got a loose fold under my chin but I go to a London clinic that has machines that lift and peel your skin to stop you from getting too wrinkly.

Shirley Ballas is a great addition to the

Strictly panel. The show will always roll on, no matter who is on it. I still miss Bruce Forsyth. He was an amazing man and such a good friend. He was also the most incredible dancer – his rhythm was astounding.

Arlene: The Glitz, The Glamour, The Gossip takes place on Thursday at 7.30pm at London’s Battersea Power Station. For tickets, visit arlenephillips.com.