Arlene Phillips takes a swipe at new Strictly hosts as she calls the threesome an 'interesting choice' and is hesitant over 'influencer' professional dancers

Arlene Phillips has taken a swipe at the new Strictly hosts as she described them as an 'interesting choice' in a new interview. It was announced in May that Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe would be taking over the roles of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman after they stepped down at the end of last year's series. Bosses have made the decision to shake up the dynamic by bringing in three presenters, and Arlene, who served as a judge on the show from 2004 until 2008, has questioned the new format. Appearing on Good Morning Britain on Friday she said: 'I think they're an interesting choice. I wonder sometimes about three and I want to know what the magic is about three because sometimes people say three's a crowd.'Who is going to do what? I have no idea.'Sharing many fans concerns that Johannes will no longer be dancing, she continued: 'All I want to do with Johannes is watch him dance. I mean just incredible. But I have no idea. Arlene Phillips has taken a swipe at the new Strictly hosts as she called the threesome an 'interesting choice' and was hesitant over 'influencer' professional dancers in GMB interview The former judge said: 'I think they're an interesting choice. I wonder sometimes about three and I want to know what the magic is about three because sometimes people say three's a crowd''I've not asked anybody [at Strictly] anything. They wouldn't probably tell me. But I want to know is how it's all going to work out. I'm curious. Fascinating.'Meanwhile last week five new professionals, Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita, were revealed to be joining the line up. And as host Kate Garraway asked for Arlene's opinion she appeared hesitant at their 'influencer' statuses. 'The new pros, as long as they can dance. I mean, most of them are sort of influencers and they talk an awful lot. As long as those pros can dance,' she replied. In recent months Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, 44, Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, Luba Mushtuk, 36, and Gorka Marquez, 35, have all been given the boot from the show.It's understood that those with bigger online followings have been chosen over dancers who are not so TikTok friendly as the series tries desperately to attract a younger audience.One example appears to be axed Nadiya Bychkova, who boasts 19,000 followers, while Dianne Buswell, with 966,000 followers, has kept her place in the line-up.Karen Hauer, who was Strictly's longest-serving female dancer, is a similar story with her 9,000 followers while safe newcomer Alexis Warr has a whopping 190,000.A source said: 'Strictly is always looking for ways to increase its audience in terms of volume, but also in terms of attracting new, young viewers. Commenting on the new professionals she added: 'The new pros, as long as they can dance. I mean, most of them are sort of influencers and they talk an awful lot' Strictly announced last week that five new Professional Dancers will join the lineup (L-R Maddie Ingoldsby, Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi and Mark Karmalita)'Social media is a massive part of broadening that appeal, and TikTok is the perfect medium for a show where music and dance is at the forefront.'They won't simply lose someone from the line up because they aren't big on TikTok, but it might just be the thing that saves them from exiting the line-up.'Meanwhile Josh previously relayed his excitement over his role to co-host and fellow comedian Rob Beckett who praised his pal for nabbing the job on the latest episode of their podcast Parenting Hell.Discussing his co-stars, he branded himself 'the runt of the litter' as he said: 'I'm a weird-looking little guy. I realised I've been cast with two of the most striking looking people on television.'On his diminutive height, he went on: 'Jojo is 6'2", Emma's the same height as me but she'll be wearing heels, we've already discussed it's going to be fun for the Halloween special I may be the first person to go as Damon Albarn on Icons Night.'Rob went on to warn potential trolls that he would be hitting back at critics of his co-host, who he poked fun at for scooping the role despite frequently grumbling over his busy schedule and time away from home after relocating from London to Exeter.Continuing in their dumbfoundedness over his new role, Josh joked that he would not have been in the bookies' running due to his unlikely casting.