When Dame Arlene Phillips entered the I’m A Celebrity castle last night (21 November), some fans were quick to confuse her with Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas.
Shirley, 61, took over as head judge from Len Goodman on the BBC dancing show in 2017, while Arlene was on the original judging panel for four years when the show began in 2004.
Why did Shirley Ballas get confused for Arlene Phillips?
The confusion began when former dance champion Shirley Ballas shared a snap of herself looking glamorous on Strictly Coming Dancing set on Twitter.
Read more: I’m A Celebrity: Frankie Bridge and David Ginola are bookies’ favourites to win
And one user was quick to comment: “I’m so jealous that you’re going to be sleeping next to David Ginola.”
However, others tried to correct the Twitter user that Shirley was not sleeping next to footy legend David Ginola and that it was, in fact, choreographer Arlene.
This confusion is a common one! Two fabulous Northern women who have lived a life dedicated to dance and been judges on @bbcstrictly ❤️ #TeamDame #TeamArlene #ImACelebrity pic.twitter.com/HWcePu8Rxf
— Dame Arlene Phillips (@arlenephillips) November 22, 2021
It was Arlene’s team who noticed the confusion and quickly commented.
Arlene’s official Twitter account wrote: “This confusion is a common one! Two fabulous Northern women who have lived a life dedicated to dance and been judges on @bbcstrictly.”
And shared a lovely picture of the pair together.
Arlene leaves TV viewers gobsmacked by her real age
Meanwhile, a youthful-looking Arlene shocked fans with her actual age of 78 when she appeared on I’m A Celeb.
She also made history by becoming the oldest contestant ever to enter to compete on I’m A Celebrity.
Ahead of appearing on the ITV reality show, she told the Metro: “Obviously, I’m concerned. Everything in your body changes as you get older.”
She added: “But in terms of being the oldest, I think I’ve always been the oldest. When I was 36 and had my first baby, it was shock, horror – this geriatric mother having a baby.
“And then my second one at 47. So I feel like I’ve always been the oldest at doing something, so it’s nothing really to me.”
I’m A Celebrity continues on ITV, tonight (November 22), at 9pm.
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