Arlene 'to return to Strictly', claims Craig

Strictly Come Dancing's Craig Revel Horwood has claimed that ousted judge Arlene Phillips is being lined up to return to the show next year.

The 44-year-old told the Sunday Mirror that he believes show producers are plotting to bring back the veteran choregrapher - whose dismissal and replacement with former series champion Alesha Dixon caused outrage among fans.

And he even suggested that the whole incident was a ploy to draw more viewers to the show.

Who knows whether or not her sacking was a ploy so she could do the other dance show?" he said. "It's all up for question. It's possible it's a conspiracy. Has anyone thought of that?

"There were a lot of rumours surrounding Arlene's dismissal about whether she left of her own accord. But I think Arlene is more than capable of coming back. I would love to have her back and I've missed her."

However despite maintaining a close friendship with Phillips, Revel Horwood admitted that she has still not spoken about the circumstances surrounding her departure from the show.

"We have been out to parties together and we've had lunches but she just doesn't want to speak about it." he said.

"I would love to get to the nitty-gritty of it, but she just won't talk about it."