Official - Aleisha replaces Arlene as Strictly Judge - how depressing...

[extremelychocolateymilkroll]

It's now been confirmed that Arlene Phillips is being shoved aside for Aleisha Dixon - here. Darcy Bussell will be a guest judge later in the series. Replacing a very experienced choreographer with a pop singer who dances a bit and a ballet dancer. They're obviously following the X Factor trick of getting rid of Sharon Osbourne and bringing in Twiglet Cole. But Strictly appeals to an older age group than X Factor - and revamping it by adding Aleisha won't bring in a younger audience and will only annoy the older element - i.e. over 30. So we have Len Goodman, about the same age as Arlene, and Bruce who is old enough to be her father. I feel like not watching the show in protest but that's not going to change anything, is it? Couldn't we organise a mass revolt?

Heard this being discussed on the radio this morning by Richard Stilgoe, a friend of Arlene's.

I had a response from the BBC today:

Interesting that they have changed their email response - presumably it was the automated response? The sad thing is that it seems to have died a death shortly after being announced. There were a few newsaper columns and apparently Helen Lederer was interviewed about it on the BBC but if there have been any other reports the tone just seems to be one of resignation which is bloody annoying as it seems to prove the BBC right - a taxpayer funded organisation can just get away with this decision because it's the sort of decision we expect them to take. The very limited response to the threads on MN on this subject reinforce this pov sadly.

apparently Harriet Harman has made now a fuss...not that that will help anything....

am not surprised that they changed their e-mail response....because, the original very much pointed too blatant ageism/sexism....this one is much safer for them

We need to start boycotting these programmes,
or else we cannot moan when the continually replace older women with younger women.This whole issue really pisses me off.

indeed...I think I shall...even though it will pain me....it's the one programme me and dh both like and enjoy...sigh....but, I hope I am not the only one boycotting, because than the boycott would be a waste of time

Guardian has now got in on the act, Strictly ageism. Article also points out that Jo Whiley and Edith Bowman have also been dropped at Radio 1 in favour of younger presenters.

Just had the same response as GivePeas. I thought this line in it was interesting: "The BBC also employs numerous mature presenters of all ages, including females, in prime time shows." I can't think of one mature female presenter other than Kirsty Wark. Will be interesting to see how they try to justify this.

Sadly I don't think a handful of people boycotting the show will have any impact as the show is about more than the judges and it will only ever be a handful of people prepared to take such action. All I think we can do is keep banging on about it but it does seem that even on MN we are a minority. The coverage this issue has got elsewhere seems to suggest a shrug of resignation.

just complained, I don't actually agree a lot of the time with Arlene but i think she's has got the right experience to BE a judge, my complaint highlighted the fact that she is qualified to judge and asking them to tell me what qualifications Alesha has to be a judge on a dancing show.

(obivously i don't mean what paper certificates they each hold (would my bronze medal in jazz help?) but rather qualification by experience)

Craig was on R2 today, he was asked about Arlene and said he wasn't 'allowed' to talk about it Why would that be the case unless the BBC thought it was on very shaky ground?

That's interesting. I think it's a shame that the judges didn't stick together and support Arlene as I don't think the BBC would get rid of all the judges in one go - but maybe I'm being just a bit naive.

I am wondering why noone has said anything too.........even Arlene herself.........she has nothing to lose?

I am going to continue my complaint and see what happens as their response is so pathetic.

I agree. If you look at the cast of Friends they would always negotiate together which increased their bargaining power. I too will continue my complaint but it is annoying that in order to continue to complain they make you write to Martin Scott - just to make it more difficult. I am going to call the BBC to see if I can get an email address for him.

Have just found out that you can fill out another email complaint form and be really clear that you don't want an automated response but want to hear back from Martin Scott then this should happen. Watch this space.

well done chocolatey, keep us posted, then we can try. Has anyone looked on digitalspy? Bet there is some sort of campaign on there!

Thanks pinkteddy. Just saw this article by Selina Scott. I thought it was strange that Woman's Hour hadn't covered this topic at all. Again a bit depressing that all she can hope for is the culture to change once Mark Thompson has left.

Just had an email that, despite what I was previously told, in order to hear back from Martin Scott I need to post a complaint to him. They just try to grind you down, don't they? Apparently 1,300 people complained.

I've complained too - thanks for the link

I wouldn't mind but Arlene looks fab for 66 too, not that that should have anything to do with it anyway ( I mean look at Brucie)

sooooo depressing

hi chocolatey wondered if you got anywhere with Martin Scott?