Arlene Phillips wants to replace Len Goodman as the head judge on 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

Arlene Phillips and Len Goodman

Arlene Phillips and Len Goodman

The 73-year-old dancer - who sat on the original panel from 2004 until 2009 - is desperate to return to the Ballroom and Latin show next year and believes she'd be the perfect replacement for the "tired and grumpy" panellist.

Asked who she thinks should replace Len on the show, the brunette beauty said: "Me, of course. Who else?

"The BBC will do what they want but it's not as easy judging. It's not just about knowledge of Ballroom and Latin. There's so much involved, with the professionals, with the celebrities, with the entertainment. I think you have to be able to deliver both really well."

Len announced he was stepping down and leaving the show earlier this week following 12 years on the panel but Arlene has admitted she saw it coming because he was struggling to juggle his role on the hip-shaking show in the UK with America's 'Dancing With the Stars'.

She explained to the Daily Telegraph newspaper: "I think Len for a while has been hopping there and back to America. I'm not surprised. I think he's had enough.

"Actually on the last couple of series sometimes, I know everyone calls him grumpy, but oh my goodness!

"He really has let the fact that he is tired or irritated show. That's what everyone loves about him."

Meanwhile, the 72-year-old legend will continue to sit on the panel alongside Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood throughout the next series, which will hit screens later this year, but will then wave goodbye to his co-stars and the production crew afterwards.

He said: "It is an honour being part of the wonderful 'Strictly Come Dancing' family and I'm looking forward to my last series very much and to whatever comes next."

And, although bosses are devastated to see him go, producers are determined to give Len the best send off by making his final series the "most spectacular" yet.