Arlene: 'Widdecombe had Strictly agenda'

Arlene Phillips has questioned Ann Widdecombe's motives for appearing on Strictly Come Dancing.

The former judge, who has been vocal during the series in her disdain for the ex-Conservative MP, said that Widdecombe had no intention of learning any dance skills.

"Ann came with her own agenda, which was not about learning to dance," she told The Sun. "She wanted some attention. She has become a legend because of Strictly and she is loving it."

Widdecombe was finally voted off the BBC One dance show last night after judge Bruno Tonioli compared her American smooth on Saturday night to a "Dalek in drag".

Meanwhile, Phillips backed the judges' decision to award Pamela Stephenson the first perfect score of the series for her Viennese waltz with James Jordan.

"She was Pamela the perfect," she said. "She corrected her tendency to raise her shoulders and round her back, and was faultless. It was old Hollywood glamour."