Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips has said the judges shouldn’t refer to Seann Walsh and Katya Jones’ kiss during this weekend’s show.
Comedian Seann was pictured kissing his married dance partner Katya and has now been dumped by his long-time girlfriend Rebecca Humphries.
Katya’s husband, fellow Strictly pro Neil Jones, has yet to speak out.
There had been calls for Seann and Katya to quit Strictly in the wake of the scandal, but BBC bosses confirmed on Tuesday they will dance as planned.
Read more: Strictly confirms Seann and Katya’s next dance
Appearing on ITV’s Lorraine on Wednesday, ex judge Arlene said what happens away from the dance floor should not creep into what happens on the show, and the kiss should not influence the judges’ remarks or scoring in any way.
She said of the judges: “I don’t think they should allude to it. Because whatever they do, whatever way they allude to it, they will be doing the wrong thing for somebody.
“We’ve had these difficult moments before. They have to come in and judge them on the dance. They have to be professional. They are hired as professional judges, they are hired to do that, they are not moral code judges. It’s about the dances, technique and storytelling.”
“It’s a brilliant, brilliant show,” she added.
“None of us know the absolute details of what has happened. For his girlfriend, everyone’s heart goes out to her…But I think the professional way is to carry on. For them to perform their dance to the best of the ability and for the judges to judge them in the way they always do, fairly.”
Arlene rubbished the idea Seann and Katya should step down from the show.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoBRrJNAQ3t/?hl=en&taken-by=mrs_katjones
“I absolutely think they should be allowed to dance,” she said. “They are consenting adults, the public appear to be the moral guardians.
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