'I'M A SURVIVOR AND REFUSE TO SINK!'

ARLENE PHILIPS OPENS UP TO OK! ABOUT KEEPING UPBEAT, HER THOUGHTS ON STRICTLY, AND WHY SHE'S DOING EVERYTHING SHE CAN TO SUPPORT THE THEATRE INDUSTRY

- SUZANNE BAUM

Former Strictly Come Dancing judge and choreographer Arlene Phillips is a legend of the theatre world, having worked on countless productions over her amazing 50-year career.

So when we catch up, it’s clear the 77-year-old, who still dances regularly, is very disheartened by the decimation of the arts industry due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Arlene knows more than anyone what a special part theatre and entertainment plays in people’s lives. And she says for it to suddenly ground to a halt is “utterly heartbreaking”. “It is a total injustice,” she tells us, adding, “If I can do my bit to call for more support for the arts then so be it.”

Despite the horrendous time the profession she loves so dearly is going through, she assures us she’s a “fighter” and will soldier on through.

Arlene – who is mum to daughters Alana, 41, and Abi, 29, and lives with her partner Angus Ion, 59 – chats to us about her secret to staying young. She says it has a lot to do with being a grandmother to 20-month-old Lila, who“keeps her on her toes” – and there’s another grandchild on the way!

Here, she lifts the lid on staying positive and keeping active, and the impact the pandemic has had on her beloved industry...

Hi Arlene! For someone who’s normally active, has it been hard having to stay at home for so long?