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.
Bu hikaye OK! UK dergisinin October 16, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye OK! UK dergisinin October 16, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
A CITY OF TWO HALVES
There's a holiday for every budget to be found in Dubai, as OK!'s Faith Richardson discovered
'Christmas is a double whammy'
Chef James Martin on the pressures of dividing his time between his restaurants and his family over the festivities
LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF
The festive season can be an incredibly stressful time, particularly for people-pleasers who struggle to put their own needs first
'There's a bit of faking it until you make it'
Actor Paul Mescal on entering the Gladiator II arena, building a blockbuster body for his role as fighter Lucius Verus, and heading up an A-list cast of Hollywood's finest stars
THE A-LIST HAIL HOLLYWOOD'S BIG HITTERS
A line-up of the film world's best-known faces attended this year's Governors Awards to celebrate lifetime achievements
'I think we arrived right on time'
The stars of the long-awaited film Wicked, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, tell us why its themes are so relevant right now and why the musical is so dear to their hearts
'No one knows who I am'
Having first found fame on social media, GK Barry has become the breakout star of this year's I'm A Celebrity
'I still pinch myself about how we met'
Now legally married, MAFS Uk’s Adam and Tayah Aveling are looking forward to Christmas with their daughter and welcoming baby number two in 2025
THE ROYAL WEEK
It was a sad week for Queen Camilla, but a good week for the royal family’s charities with visits to hospitals and homeless centres
WILLIAM AND KATE'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS
After a challenging year for the royal family, the Prince and Princess of Wales plan to give their children an unforgettable time filled with fun and festivities
