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Odds slashed on return of Arlene

Arlene - odds slashed
Arlene - odds slashed

Odds have been slashed on former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips returning to the show after Alesha Dixon’s debut last weekend.

Paddy Power cut odds on her return to 3/1 following recent media and audience criticism of Dixon.

Fans swamped BBC message boards criticising the singer’s performance and calling for the return of choreographer Phillips.

Host Bruce Forsythe is the most recent person to rally behind Dixon telling a workshop of BBC staff in London "The show has been so hyped up this year and the criticism of Alesha has been unnecessarily harsh. She should be given a chance - the girl's got guts."

The singer herself has dismissed the criticism as a "storm in a teacup".

Paddy Power have placed Hollyoaks actor Ricky Whittle as favourite to win the show with Ali Bastian second favourite.

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