Alesha Dixon has defended herself against critics who say she is a rubbish judge on the show.

Alesha claims that she isn’t trying to replace dance expert, Arlene Phillips but adds that as a former contestant, she brings her own experience to the show.

She told Strictly spin-off It Takes Two: “People forget that I had four months in solid training with a world champion – ten hours a day.

“It’s not like I have just been picked off the street to judge a dancing show. The important thing to remember is that I do know what I am talking about.”

Earlier, she told the Radio Times: “Having competed on the show, I’m the only judge who understands what the celebrity dancers are going through.”