Alesha Dixon Says 'Strictly Come Dancing' Replacement Darcey Bussell Will Be 'Absolutely Fine'

What Does Alesha Think Of Her 'Strictly' Replacement?

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Alesha Dixon has given her thumbs-up to the show's new judge Darcey Bussell, saying she will be "absolutely fine".

The 43-year-old ballerina, who previously appeared as a guest panellist in 2009, will sit alongside head judge Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli when the tenth series of the hit ballroom show begins on Saturday September 15th.

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Alesha - who swapped her seat on the judging panel of the BBC show for ITV's Britain's Got Talent - said as she launched the new Impulse fragrance Sweet Smile: "I think Darcey is going to be fine, because she hasn't joined the panel in a controversial way, so she's going to have an easy ride."

The 33-year-old added: "At the same time, when you're the new girl on the block, even for myself when I first joined Britain's Got Talent, you're the judge being judged. It's inevitable that is going to happen.

Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli seen on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two in 2009

"The first couple of weeks, people are going to be judging her but she's a mature woman, carries herself in a great way and she'll be absolutely fine."

Alesha - who won Strictly in 2007, and joined the judging panel in 2009 - revealed that it will be "strange" watching the show this year without any involvement.

"I did it for over three years - the first year as a contestant, then went back to perform and then judged for three years. So it will be a little bit weird, but I'm actually looking forward to watching it from my sofa," she said.

She's also looking forward to reuniting with fellow judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and David Walliams for the next series of Britain's Got Talent.

"They've asked me back and I would obviously love to go back. The contracts have been signed, they're with the lawyers at the moment so fingers crossed, in a couple of weeks, it should all be done and dusted," she said.

:: Alesha is the face of the new exclusive Impulse fragrance Sweet Smile, on sale now.

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