Arlene Phillips opened up about her pregnancy (Image: BBC)
Former judge Dame Arlene Phillips has revealed the daunting advice she was given during her pregnancy in her late forties. Now an octogenarian at 81, the distinguished choreographer and mother to Alana, 45, and Abi, 34, was 47 when she discovered she was expecting her second child.
Despite not planning a pregnancy at that age, she managed it with positive attitudes towards ageing, challenging doctors’ doubts. Speaking openly on the ‘How to be 60’ podcast with icon Kaye Adams, Dame Arlene reflected: “Nothing ever made me think about my life and ageing together. I was 36 when I had Alana, and I’ve been very lucky, because the jobs I’ve done have allowed me to have a nanny on set, I could have my baby when I needed to feed, whatever I wanted.”
She continued, sharing her shock at being told during her later pregnancy: “But I’d never thought about age, or being fit, even when I was 47 when I was having Abi and I was told it would be hard to bond with my little daughter because I really was the age of a grandmother and they said therefore I might not be able to understand what it’s like.”
Arlene was told she would struggle to bond with her baby (Image: Getty Images)
Arlene shared: “So I said ‘I remember it very well, and I have been given a gift. Having a baby naturally at the age of 47, when I never thought I would get pregnant again, so trust me, I’ll bond. I constantly got told that that as a geriatric mother, I should really think about it.”
No one thought it was safe at 47 to have a baby but I didn’t feel 47, it didn’t occur to me what 47 was, I just thought that this baby was a gift and my body was going to be able to withstand it. ” The respected former judge from ”, who has been actively involved in numerous West End and touring musicals like ‘Guys and Dolls’ and ‘The Cher Show’ recently, confessed her innate determination and pursuit of ambitions. On her persevering nature, she stated: “I am determined…and I don’t mean this in a mean or nasty way, but I’ve always been determined, and if I want something enough I have to work for it, reports .
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“Regarding chasing her goals, she stressed: “I have to work for it, I have to go with it and I have to have my blinkers on and only listen to myself. ” Earlier this year, Arlene revealed she had finally accepted getting axed by bosses but will never ‘forgive’ them. She declared: “Accepted but not forgiven. Yes, I have moved on. I suppose it is something to rejoice, and I can always remind myself, I was there at the pilot, when nobody ever thought this show was going to be a show.
And to be the first female judge, there’s a lot of accolades I could give myself. “.