Strictly not too old!

The row over the sacking of Arlene Phillips (66) from BBC's Strictly Come Dancing rumbles on. After Harriet Harman previously describing the decision as "shocking" we now hear the Lib-Dems Equalities Spokeswoman telling the Party Conference it "sent a bad message" and "she would not be able to describe her feelings on the matter in parliamentary language."
Interesting as well that we get Justin Lee Collins (35) wading in with a swipe at Bruce Forsyth (81) suggesting that he should have got out 3 or 4 years ago. I wonder was that a piece of clever PR to deflect from the sexism aspects of the Phillips - Dixon row?
It seems a shame that ageism will be the likely casualty in this row. If you watch the show (which of course I don't) you would appreciate that the original panelists shared a similar perspective as critics, and so maybe a different angle will limit repetition. There certainly were clashes and personal exchanges. The trouble now is that if Len (65) falls out with Craig (44) as he did last Saturday (I'm told) we will dismiss this as cantankerousness by the old fella!
Of course it's viewing ratings that will ultimately settle this debate and the head to head with X Factor last Saturday wasn't a good result with Strictly losing out by 2 million viewers.
But the BBC have the answer. They've "gagged" the Strictly judges and issued suitable responses they can give to questions on the affair. Their record with costume drama is renowned and adding censorship to ageism within the plot is bound to increase viewing levels.