Arlene: 'Horwood was right about Jo Wood'

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Arlene Phillips has defended judge Craig Revel Horwood after he compared Jo Wood to a "bush kangaroo" live on air.

The axed panellist told The Sun that Horwood's remark should not have caused such a row on Saturday's show.

She explained: "I was also writing in my notebook 'Skippy the kangaroo'. I don't think it was a personal comment. Judges are there to comment and she was very skippy.

"Besides, Craig was cut off and nobody knows what he would have continued to say - he usually ends on something positive."

Wood's professional dance partner Brendan Cole was seen storming off in fury following Horwood's jibe at the weekend.

However, Arlene insisted: "Stalking off almost makes it worse. He should comfort her and it shouldn't be about him."

Phillips has been keeping track of Strictly for her newspaper column and television appearances this year.