Bye Bye Strictly - Hello Britain’s Got Talent!

Wednesday, 04 January 2012 12:34

Written by Editor

Alesha Dixon is to leave BBC One's hit programme Strictly Come Dancing to join ITV1 talent show Britain's Got Talent. Dixon announced she will join Simon Cowell's team for the programme's sixth series later this year. The 33-year-old will appear alongside the show's creator Cowell, comic David Walliams and Amanda Holden on the Britain's Got Talent judging panel. A BBC spokesperson said "We wish her well for the future". A new Strictly judge will be announced in due course.

Walliams is also a newcomer on Britain's Got Talent. He and Dixon replace comedian Michael McIntyre and actor David Hasselhoff from series five. In a message on her website, Dixon, who won Strictly in 2007, said: "After three incredible years on the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel, I have decided that it is time to move on.”

Dixon, who was a member of girl group Mis-Teeq, received a backlash after it was announced in 2009 that she would replace Arlene Phillips on the Strictly judging  panel.

Following Dixon's  announcement she was joining the Britain's Got Talent panel, a host of female stars have been tipped to replace her. And leading the favourites are 2010 winner Kara Tointon, 28, and the show's former professional Karen Hardy, 41.

Former EastEnders actress Tointon, who won the show with her boyfriend Artem Chigvintsev in 2010, is favourite with bookmakers Ladbrokes to be appointed to the panel. However, William Hill have retired ballroom dancer Hardy, as 4/6 favourite.

With Bruno Tonioli, Len Goodman and Craig Revel-Horwood remaining on the panel, there is a fourth place left for a lone female judge. Other names in the fray include last year's contestant Chelsee Healey, Polish professional Ola Jordan and Dirty Dancing actress Jennifer Grey – who was a guest judge last year and won Dancing With The Stars in the U.S.