Queen of the scathing put-down, Arlene Phillips from TV’s Strictly Come Dancing, was in Oxford today to launch her new show.

Ms Phillips was joined by the stars of the new musical adaptation of the 80s classic Flashdance for its launch at the New Theatre in George Street.

The ‘ice queen’ choreographer, who has made many celebrities tremble with fear with her acidic criticisms, said it was great to be back in the city she had visited many times.

She said: “Pretty much all of the touring productions I have worked on during my career have come to Oxford because we always get a great reception here.

“It’s a city that has a really good theatre-going audience and my productions of Starlight Express and Grease did really well here.”

The choreographer has worked on stage and screen productions for more than twenty years and was behind the famous Hot Gossip dance troupe on The Kenny Everett Video Show in the 1980s.

However, Ms Phillips said her TV work was only a small part of her life — and she had had reservations about becoming a judge on Strictly.

She said: “At first the show wanted four ballroom judges, but decided to go for a mix instead and approached me because of the work I had done. I had my doubts, I thought it wasn’t really what I do. But half way through the first series I realised I really loved it and it’s been huge.”

She said she now had no qualms about putting celebrities in their place.

“My life has been a lifelong series of put-downs. Even with the dancers, it’s the way I teach, the way I am — and nothing has changed since doing Strictly.

“I never regret anything I say. Sometimes a dance doesn’t suit a person and no matter how hard they try they will never get it.”

The new production retells the story of Alex Owen, a female welder who spends her evenings working as an exotic dancer and aspires to go to ballet school.

Speaking about her new production, Ms Phillips said she jumped at the chance to choreograph the stage production of Flashdance, having missed out on the chance to work on the movie.

She said: “Often the show becomes bigger than the film. What’s exciting is to be able to get to do all the choreography I love. I’m a big fan of that ‘80s style.”

She is now working with Coronation Street actor Bruno Langley, former Hear’say pop star Noel Sullivan and West End star Victoria Hamilton-Barritt for the new production, which will run from December 15 to January 3.

Tickets for Flashdance The Musical are on sale at newtheatreoxford.org.uk or on 0844 847 1585.

Prices start at £15.

Read more of Arlene Phililps’ backstage gossip in The Guide in Friday’s Oxford Mail.