The BBC drew accusations of ageism and sexism when it fired Jewish choreographer as a judge Arlene Phillips on its popular show Strictly Come Dancing .

The choreographer, 66, was dropped by the BBC show in favour of 30-year-old singer Alesha Dixon.

But in the new season of the show, the corporation is righting its wrongs, with four women over 50 competing in the show. Two are Jewish .

Donning the sequins is 50-year-old Nancy Dell'Olio, the glamorous Italian lawyer and former partner of ex England manager Sven Goren Eriksson.

She will compete with former politician Edwina Currie, 64, who came to prominence over an affair with former Prime Minister John Major.

Ms Currie has odds of 50/1 of winning the show and Ms Dell'Olio has odds of 33/1.

The show begins this Saturday night and runs until December.