‘I want to Inspire Confidence In older women’

Arlene phillips on this year’s Strictly, her time on I’m A Celeb and her hope of being a “poster girl” for her generation

Anyone wanting proof that age is just a number need only look at Dame Arlene Phillips. Six months ahead of her 80th birthday, the choreographer and former Strictly Come Dancing judge is as in demand as ever. And when she’s not dancing herself, she is usually lending her expertise to others as part of a hit West End show.

Last year, Arlene, who choreographed the recent London revival of Grease, made history when she became the oldest contestant to take part in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! at the age of 78.

“You know, it had never been on my wish list,” she says. “I had been asked for so many years to go on that show and I was someone who would not only