'You have to bounce back bigger than ever'

Choreographer Arlene Phillips shares the secrets of her amazing career as she presents a sensational new show

- RHIANNA BENSON

At 80 years old (yes, really!) and with more than 50 years in showbiz under her belt, it’s a joy to discover that dance queen Arlene Phillips is as refreshingly honest and outspoken as she’s always been.

Flanked by eight partially-dressed, six-foot-something male dancers as she promotes her dramatic stage production House Of Flamenka with the show’s star Karen Ruimy, it’s clear to see that the choreographer and TV favourite hasn’t lost her ability to demand every inch of the spotlight. So it’s hard to believe her when she says she was nervous ahead of our sultry and seductive photoshoot alongside flamenco dancer Karen.

“Like everyone, some days I do feel 100% and some days I don’t feel confident at all,” she admits. “But I am who I am. I think age has a lot to do with spirit. I don’t think I feel how I’m supposed to at 80 – I’m full of life and ready to go! I believe you’re only as young as you feel.”

Speaking candidly to us about everything from life as a grandmother to her headline-grabbing Strictly Come Dancing sacking, it’s clear that no topics are off limits.

And it seems right to acknowledge that we’re not just chatting to a prime-time TV judge, and remind readers that we are in fact conversing with a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

“It’s somewhat incredible to have received a damehood because it was the last thing I expected,” Arlene says. “I was just this young girl from Manchester who desperately wanted to be a performer. I never imagined I’d be honoured in any way for my work, let alone with a damehood.