Alesha Dixon brushes off Stricly speculation

Former Strictly Come Dancing winner and pop favourite Alesha Dixon today brushed off reports that she is being lined up to replace Arlene Phillips as a judge on the show.

The 66-year-old choreographer has been told that she will not be on the panel for the new series of the BBC show when it returns to our screens this autumn, The Sun reported.

The newspaper claims that producers are lining up Dixon as they look to inject some youthful glamour into the series, to compete with a younger judging panel on ITV's X Factor.

A BBC spokesman said today: "We can't confirm anything about the new series of Strictly yet, but we are always looking at ways to maximise viewers' enjoyment of our shows."

Asked about the reports, Dixon told Sky News: "There is always speculation. Two months ago they were reporting that I was going to take over from Brucie.

"But once you are part of Strictly Come Dancing, you are part of the family and I do feel that about the show.

"It it wasn't for Strictly I wouldn't be here because it really has changed my life."