Winkleman happy with 'Strictly' update

Claudia Winkleman has suggested that show producers were not being ageist when they chose to replace judge Arlene Phillips with popstar Alesha Dixon.

The Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two host told Stylist that critics had misunderstood the decision from the programme's bosses.

Winkleman said: "I think it's been read wrong. I can't talk about it because I'll get into trouble whatever I say, but I think it's a brilliant show and they wanted to update it.

"I don't worry about it because I think you can stay on TV whatever your age. And if I can't, I'll do radio, or I'll write."

She added: "Strictly takes over my life from September until Christmas, so I don't do any TV work through the summer.

"My agent Joanna knows it has to be something extraordinary for me to have to work in the summer as I'd rather by with my kids. I've turned down a lot of jobs because of it."