Arlene Phillips

“I couldn't have wished for a better life companion. I got extremely lucky when I met Angus.”

“Britannia High' is not set in a high school where people burst into song and dance for no reason. It's a performing arts school, so there is a legitimate reason for them to sing and dance.”

“My family always laugh at me because they all camp and I'm definitely not a camper!”

“I'd been in and out of relationships, never very successfully. Then, when I met Angus, I found someone who also became my best friend in the world. And once you have somebody who you want to be with and share things with, it's fantastic. He's the total opposite of me, but somehow together we are like one whole person.”

“When I'm offered jobs that I love to do, I think 'well, why not!?'”

“I have gone through my life loving dance. No matter what, it's never gone away and I love watching it, taking part in it, creating it. I've never lost the love for it.”

“I don't drink at all. If I'm out I'll have the occasional sip of wine just to be sociable.”

“I like dancers who demand of themselves to achieve, not just technically but also as performers.”

“I wanted to dance for as long as I can remember.”

“If you're in the arts, or anything that requires great discipline, the only way to achieve it is to put in the hours.”

“I'm tough. I do what I want to do.”

“Everything I do seems to get so much attention since 'Strictly Come Dancing.'”

“TV is a cruel mistress; you can't afford to fail in any way.”

“I am five foot two and a half, and vary between a size 10 and size 12.”

“I'm passionate about dance - about getting people to move and enjoy themselves. But I know dance has incredible physical benefits too.”

“I've never been money savvy.”

“I used to dance all day, every day.”

“When I am in rehearsal, my tracksuits are carefully placed to disguise parts of my body. I'll think, 'My bum looks big today, so a cardigan will hide it.'”

“When you think about how many wars are created through the word religion it's hard to identify with it, or even accept it.”

“I feel like a damehood doesn't happen to people from my background.”