Craig Revel Horwood, Strictly Come Dancing’s answer to Simon Cowell, has said that he is unsurprised by the BBC’s decision to sack Arlene Phillips.

Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, Horwood explained: “I do feel sorry for Arlene. If you’re invited back, that’s great. If not, well that’s the way the cookie crumbles. TV is cutthroat.”

Discussing the star’s replacement, he added: “Alesha knows what’s what. But this is about experience vs. a novice. I don’t see why they can’t bring Arlene back.”