Dame Arlene Phillips (born 22 May 1943) is an English choreographer, theatre director, talent scout, former television judge, presenter, and dancer. She reached mainstream fame on television as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing (2004-2008) and So You Think You Can Dance (2010-2011). She has also achieved success as a stage choreographer on musicals including Starlight Express (1987), Grease (1993 and 2022), Saturday Night Fever (1998), and Guys and Dolls (2023).
Early life
Phillips was born on 22 May 1943 in Prestwich, Lancashire. She has a brother, Ian and a sister, Karen. She attended Broughton Preparatory School, Cheetham Hill, Manchester; When Phillips was 15, her mother, who had been suffering from leukaemia, died aged 43 just before Phillips was due to take her exams. Her mother had always expressed a desire to dance, which inspired Phillips into pursuing dance professionally. where she developed her own style of jazz dance, strongly influenced by American Modern Jazz dance popular in London at that time.
From 2004 to 2008, she was a judge on the BBC One show Strictly Come Dancing, She went on to choreograph Engelbert Humperdinck's performance of the UK entry in the 2012 contest in Baku.
In March 2013, Arlene appeared on Let's Dance For Comic Relief in the Dance Judge Panel with Greg James and Lee Mack.
Hot Gossip
In Britain, Phillips first became a household name as the director and choreographer of Hot Gossip, a British dance troupe which she formed in 1974. Hot Gossip spent two years performing in a London night club where Phillips and her manager developed the group's dance act. she was replaced by former Strictly winner Alesha Dixon. The BBC did not formally respond to Harman's request, but repeated its comments that the decision was not due to age.
Britannia High
In 2007, Phillips became the Executive Producer and Creative Director for the ITV television series Britannia High. The show was a fictional drama about the lives of six students at a London performing arts school. Based on an idea by Phillips and West End producer David Ian, the series was marketed as the UK's answer to Disney's High School Musical. The show's music was created and written by hit songwriter, and Take That frontman, Gary Barlow.
So You Think You Can Dance?
Phillips has also been a judge on the UK version of So You Think You Can Dance?. The show's original creator Nigel Lythgoe is head judge on the series, and Phillips is joined on the panel by pop singer Louise Redknapp, and dancer and choreographer Sisco Gomez. Phillips's appointment as judge for the series came soon after the controversy over her departure from Strictly Come Dancing. The first episode aired on BBC One in January 2010, and a second series in 2011. The Gala for Grenfell took place on 30 July 2017 at the Adelphi Theatre, London and included stars from Strictly Come Dancing, The Royal Ballet and Sir Matthew Bourne's New Adventures company. Phillips said of the dancers taking part "They’re just doing it as themselves because each of the dancers is giving a gift and I want you to see them, and that they’re doing it for the love".
Spoken word tour
In 2017, Phillips embarked on a UK-wide spoken word tour, in conversation with Jacquie Storey.
Holding Back the Years
In 2017, Phillips was a presenter on the BBC One series Holding Back the Years.
I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!
In November 2021, Phillips at the age of 78 became the oldest ever contestant to appear on ITV's I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. The record was formerly held by Stanley Johnson who took part in the 17th series of the show at the age of 77.
Dancing on Ice
On 20 February 2022, Phillips joined ITV's Dancing on Ice as a guest Judge for Musicals week.
Toys the Musical
On 10 October 2024, Phillips joined Toys as the executive co-producer. Phillips said at the time "I’ve been involved with Toys for many years, with the super talented and much missed Phil Edwards. I am delighted that Paul Morrissey and I can start the adventure of Toys coming to life and I’m thrilled to be producing this show with him." Toys only played for a short period with one reviewer writing "Although the story is a bit challenging to follow and there is lots of exposition to digest, there’s also lots of heart and thoughtful life lessons about the value of toys as therapeutic tools as well as playthings."
Honours
Phillips was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2001 Birthday Honours, Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to dance and charity, and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to dance and charity.
Personal life
Phillips has been in a relationship with Angus Ion, a set builder, since 1985. The couple first met on the set of the music video for the Freddie Mercury song "I Was Born to Love You".
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| 1984
| Keep in Shape System Volume 2
| No. 100 Shaftesbury Theatre, 2010–2011
- The Wizard of Oz – London Palladium, 2011
|-
|align=center|1994
| 1994 Laurence Olivier Awards
|Best Theatre Choreographer
|align=left|Grease (musical) Dominion Theatre
|
|style="text-align:center;" |
|-
|align=center|1999
| 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards
|Best Theatre Choreographer
|align=left|Saturday Night Fever (musical) London Palladium
|
|style="text-align:center;" |
|-
|align=center|2023
|2023 WhatsOnStage Awards
|Best Choreography
|align=left|Grease, Dominion Theatre
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|style="text-align:center;" |
|-
|align=center|2023
|2023 Laurence Olivier Awards
|Special Recognition award
|align=left|Career achievement
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|style="text-align:center;" |
|-
|align=center|2024
|2024 Laurence Olivier Awards
|Best Theatre Choreographer
|align=left|Guys and Dolls (2023), Bridge Theatre
|
|style="text-align:center;" |
|-
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See also
- List of dancers
References
External links
- Article from The Mirror newspaper
- Biography from the official website for the Saturday Night Fever musical