Clifford offers advice to Alesha Dixon

Max Clifford has advised Strictly Come Dancing judge Alesha Dixon to brush up on her technical knowledge if she wants to win back respect from viewers.

The show's former winner was branded unqualified for her new role after making her first appearance on the panel last week.

Discussing how Dixon could salvage her reputation, PR guru Clifford told the Daily Express: "As the weeks go on, she just needs to win over the public, keep her head down, do interviews, spend more time with Len Goodman and speak to dancing experts to increase her technical knowledge."

Clifford also claimed that the BBC could resolve the situation by reversing its decision to axe Arlene Phillips.

He said: "They should bring back Arlene so that there are five judges, including Alesha. It's like replacing a footballer with a substitute and it is not the substitute's fault if they don't perform as well."

Dixon recently dismissed criticism of her abilities as "a storm in a teacup".