Stricly Come Fighting

If you believe last week's People, all is not well between Len Goodman and Arlene Phillips.

According to the paper, an unamed source said, "Both are determined to make a mark with their witty opinions. Arlene was furious when Len tried to spoil her views on Claire with his put-down. Backstage Arlene and Len have been bickering but it was the first time their rivalry spilled over during a broadcast. Now things have hit crisis point."

I don't believe any of this. The judges do have different opinions, and usually give their reasons for those opinions. But that is also true in forumland. Log on to any of the links on the right-hand side of this page, and the same debates rage amoung fans of the show long after the judges have put down their paddles and gone home.

I doubt very much that any of the judges bicker off-set. I'm sure they are professional enough to disagree about things, whilst respecting each other's opinions.

I don't watch The X Factor myself (why would you?), but many similar stories have been published about the judges on that show, with a rumour that Louis Walsh walked out during the last series. It's just the nature of judging panels.