Dancing on Ice visitor choose Arlene Phillips makes sly dig at Brendan Cole amid accomplice shake-up

Arlene Phillips is about to hitch the Dancing on Ice judging panel this weekend and will probably be reuniting with fellow Strictly Come Dancing alum Brendan Cole, after his skilled accomplice Vanessa Bauer was changed

Arlene Phillips has spoken about her upcoming look on Dancing on Ice as she prepares to hitch the judging panel this weekend, marking a reunion with fellow Strictly Come Dancing alum Brendan Cole.

This comes after it was introduced that Brendan’s skilled accomplice Vanessa Bauer will probably be changed this weekend, after the present was thrown into chaos by one other optimistic Covid-19 check.

Brendan will now carry out with professional skater Brendyn Hatfield, marking the second same-sex pairing on the ITV ice skating present.

Arlene Phillips, 78, could have a entrance row seat for the pair’s debut as she’s going to be part of the panel as a visitor choose, giving the panel a fifth face for the primary time within the present’s historical past this Sunday, February 20.

Showing on ITV’s Lorraine to debate the judging shake up with host Christine Lampard, who was in for Lorraine Kelly, Arlene mentioned she thinks there’ll “positively be competitors” between the professionals Brendan and his new accomplice Brendyn.

She then made a slight dig at Brendan’s current efficiency on the present, saying: “I believe Brendan goes to get his sport on. I believe he had his sport on when he began on Dancing on Ice however I felt just like the final two weeks – he’s good, sensible – however not the spectacular brilliance.

“I believe he’s going to come back out on Sunday and simply completely smash it.”

The West Finish legend added that Brendan is a “powerful cookie”, though mentioned she had seen him smiling extra usually of late.

Of her upcoming choose panel look, after she left Strictly Come Dancing’s judging panel 14 years in the past, she mentioned she’s very excited.

She added: “I like judging. To guage one thing which has the sporting component and dance is the very best factor.

“I believe as a result of it’s musical theatre week, musicals are about telling a narrative by way of music and track, so it’s having the ability to use the abilities they’ve received, however to reside that second that’s encapsulated in theatre.”

ITV confirmed skate professional Vanessa has examined optimistic for the coronavirus in a press release on Tuesday: “Sadly, Vanessa Bauer is unable to skate this weekend after testing optimistic for Covid-19. We stay up for Vanessa returning to the competitors quickly.

“Brendan Cole will nonetheless carry out on this Sunday’s present and will probably be partnered with skilled skater Brendyn Hatfield.”

Vanessa, who has topped the leaderboard in current weeks with Brendan, shared her disappointment over the information, as she is pressured to overlook out.

She mentioned: “I’m upset that I’ve examined optimistic for Covid and gained’t be capable of carry out with Brendan for Musicals Week. However I’m excited that Brendan will get to skate and problem himself with an unbelievable fellow professional and good friend in Brendyn.

“I’ve little doubt they are going to completely smash this Sunday. I’m trying ahead to returning to the competitors to showcase extra artistic routines!”

Lorraine airs weekdays at 9am on ITV