Now Alesha Dixon has jumped reality show ships to join Simon Cowell on the Britain's Got Talent panel, the bets are on for who will replace her as the only female judge on the Strictly Come Dancing panel.

Some fans are calling for the reinstatement of Strictly's original female judge Arlene Phillips, who was controversially axed in 2009 in favour of Dixon.

At the time, BBC One controller Jay Hunt said in defence of Arlene's replacement: "As a former Strictly champion, Alesha knows exactly what it takes to win.

"Her eye for great performance and her charisma and charm make Alesha a great addition to the judging panel."

But fans were outraged that Phillips' experience as a dancer, choreographer, theatre director and talent scout was cast aside for a younger model.

Yesterday Phillips reacted to fans' calls for her to return, writing on her Twitter page: "Gosh twitter followers and friends.

"I am overwhelmed by your incredible tweets campaigns and Facebook messages. So much love and thanks."

However, ex-Strictly professional dancer Karen Hardy is currently the bookmakers' favourite to fill the vacancy.

William Hill is offering odds of 4/6 that Hardy will join Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli on the panel for the next series. The ballroom pro competed on Strictly from 2005 to 2008, winning the 2006 competition with Mark Ramprakash.

However, The Sun reports that Kara Tointon, who won the show in 2010 and is engaged to Strictly dancer Artem Chigvintsev, is the BBC's favourite to replace Dixon.

Other stars in the line-up are Dirty Dancing actress Jennifer Grey, who put in a guest stint as a judge on the most recent series, and Russell Grant who stole the show with his cannon-exiting antics. Jill Halfpenny and Darcey Bussell are also in the running.

All of these prospective judges have shorter odds than Phillips, so she may have to accept her time on Strictly is over for good.