Wayne
08-03-2009, 01:33 PM
Source (http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/aug/03/strictly-come-dancing-bbc-ageism)
Strictly Come Dancing has axed its oldest female dancer, say reports
The BBC could be heading for a fresh row over ageism on Strictly Come Dancing after the show's oldest female dancer was reportedly axed.
Karen Hardy, 39, who won the popular weekend show with Mark Ramprakash in 2006, is among older dancers being replaced with fresh faces, according to today's Daily Mirror.
The show has been embroiled in controversy over the departure of the 66-year-old judge Arlene Phillips in favour of Alesha Dixon, 36 years her junior.
The decision led to more than 2,500 complaints and renewed accusations that the BBC sidelined older women.
Phillips was given a role reporting on Strictly on The One Show but is now said to be in talks to join a new talent show on GMTV.
The BBC is giving Strictly a makeover to compete with ITV1's rival talent format The X Factor, which with its younger audience was the clear ratings winner last year.
"We cannot comment on the line-up of the new dancers as yet, but we will be announcing full details in the coming weeks," a BBC spokesman told the Mirror.
"The BBC does not discuss its artists' contracts or disclose individual fees because it is both commercially sensitive and a private matter."
Strictly Come Dancing has axed its oldest female dancer, say reports
The BBC could be heading for a fresh row over ageism on Strictly Come Dancing after the show's oldest female dancer was reportedly axed.
Karen Hardy, 39, who won the popular weekend show with Mark Ramprakash in 2006, is among older dancers being replaced with fresh faces, according to today's Daily Mirror.
The show has been embroiled in controversy over the departure of the 66-year-old judge Arlene Phillips in favour of Alesha Dixon, 36 years her junior.
The decision led to more than 2,500 complaints and renewed accusations that the BBC sidelined older women.
Phillips was given a role reporting on Strictly on The One Show but is now said to be in talks to join a new talent show on GMTV.
The BBC is giving Strictly a makeover to compete with ITV1's rival talent format The X Factor, which with its younger audience was the clear ratings winner last year.
"We cannot comment on the line-up of the new dancers as yet, but we will be announcing full details in the coming weeks," a BBC spokesman told the Mirror.
"The BBC does not discuss its artists' contracts or disclose individual fees because it is both commercially sensitive and a private matter."