To be peed off about the fact that Arlene Philips will no longer be a judge on SCD

[forehead]

I have just found out that Arlene Philips is to be replaced by Alesha Dixon as a judge on SCD and i am really annoyed. I have nothing against Alesha Dixon she seems to be a really nice girl, but she does not have the wealth of experience that Arlene Philips has
The sexism and ageism at the BBC is a disgrace. Both Len Goldman and Bruce Forsyth are of a similar age to Arlene Philips but have kept their jobs. I for one will be boycotting SCD this year. I urge others to do the same.

I have emailed to complain.

I have followed pinkteddy's link and complained, and complained about their statement which really just avoids the issue of allegations of sexism and ageism.

Forehead, I agree but would add that it doesn't just cause older women to have low self esteem. It affects all women, because the message is that as a woman your worth is reliant on physical attributes such as youth, rather than what you have to say, your expereince, your intellect or experience.
It is an awful message to be giving to young women.
And I'm paying, via my licence fee, for this kind of thing to go on.

Couldn't agree more otters.

blimey talk about pot and kettle!

1. Has anyone asked Arlene whether she wanted to continue with SCD or if she wanted to concentrate on her choreography commitments? She is a choreographer first and foremost (Hot Gossip, Pan's People etc)...

1. Alesha will not take any shit from anyone and will absolutely hold her own against CRH, Len, and Bruno; she will also bring a sense of normality to the panel...

1. In contrast to Otters - I think it's a hugely positive message to bring to young women - that as a young, gifted, and obviously talented woman Alesha can and will stand alongside established older men and her opinion will be valued and counted and could affect the outcome of the competition

/discuss

well I think it stinks and have complained telling them so!

Saul, Yes you could see Alesha's appointment as a positive message to young women, if you look at it in isolation.
BUT, looking at it in context, I don't see it as that unfortunately. The BBC has given Alesha the job to replace a woman who was maybe a bit too old. Their statement says that they wanted to have a younger face on hte judges panel. But why replace the only other woman, not one of the 3 men?
There are few female faces on TV above a certain age. Even Nicky Hambelton-whatsit got replaced for the younger Myleene Class, and she was only just over 40 (I think).

YABU she's a rancid auld slaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaag

Well, thank you MamaG for that fascinating and erudite contribution to the discussion.

I don t know why they re replacing her for someone more glammy. There s plenty glammy folks doing the actual dancing. The point is the judges are wise and know something!

For all you Arlene fans, she is going to be The Strictly Correspondent on The One Show.

But that is such a come down, ten minutes a week, speaking about what the others have said. They might as well just give her a blog.

I have complained. Not that I particularly like Arlene but this reminds me of Carol Klein being passed over as lead presenter of Gardeners World and in my opinion is another example of discrmination against older women.

thank you for the link...have complaint now....
am stilll soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo pissed off at this, grrr...

Saul, we haven't sen Alesha judge yet, so, bit premature assumptions there about her being able to stand up to them, surely?
Also, the fact still is, that someone who has no proper dance training is now judging a dance competition...it's a joke....

Glad to see there's another thread on this alongside the one in Telly Addicts - the link to complain is here. I'm only surprised to see this is in AIBU - who could think you were being unreasonable???

Just wanted to add that if you do complain you get an automated email saying the same thing they have said on the website - that they want to revamp the show. No explanation as to why it's the only woman over 40 they replace. I called and asked how many people had complained and was told quite a few but that the number would only be released by the Press Office if the number of complaints in itself became an issue - so let's complain away!

I agree with the majority of you. Arlene Phillips has an amazing record as a dancer and choreographer and should be there.

I also wonder whether it is a ploy to avoid the kind of criticisms that arose from the viewers last year, since Arlene was one of the most vocal critics of John Sergeant.

In other words they are trying to make the panel more "cuddly"

They should have got rid of Craig though. He would make a more entertaining correspondent on the One show as well

I have emailed a complaint too

YANBU- horrid, obvious, ageism/ sexism.

I don't even watch the program and it annoys me. It strikes me that, on TV, you're allowed to be old and/or not particulary attractive if you're a man, but not if you're a woman.

BBC particularly guilty of this.

indeed scarlet

Complain to the BBC - see links above.
It's our licence fees that are paying for them to make such decisions.

It'd be interesting to no how much she was being paid