Arlene Phillips Appointed ‘Dance Champion’

Fans of Arlene Phillips, who was recently sacked from Strictly Come Dancing, will be pleased to hear the choreographer has been appointed a Dance Champion by Health Minister Andy Burnham.

The move is part of the Government’s plans to encourage the nation to get moving, with Philips leading a national campaign to encourage more people to take up dance classes in the run up to the 2012 London Olympics.

The group also includes Strictly Come Dancing stars Lisa Snowdon and Darren Bennett, plus Angela Rippon, the broadcaster who was formerly the chair of English National Ballet. The group is led by Rod Aldridge, chair of The Lowry and a founding director of Essentially Dance, a new scheme to introduce ballroom dance to schools.

“I’m passionate about dance,” says Phillips, “But I know it has incredible physical benefits too. And it makes you feel good.”