Angela Rippon, 78, admits being Strictly’s oldest contestant ‘does worry her’ but insists
Strictly Come Dancing star Angela Rippon made history this weekend as the oldest ever contestant to perform on the BBC ballroom show.
And though the broadcaster, 78, floored viewers and judges alike with her impressive flexibility and THAT high leg kick, she has admitted that her ageis something that ‘does worry’ her on the show.
Angela told Radio Times that she has wanted to do the show for years but has only been given the opportunity now.
She told the publication: ‘The first words out of my mouth were, “Why didn’t you ask me ten years ago when I was a lot younger?”
‘I’m doing Strictly this year because it’s the first time they’ve asked me.’
Incredible: Strictly Come Dancing star Angela Rippon, 78, made history this weekend as the oldest ever contestant to perform on the BBC ballroom show but admits her age ‘worries her’
But despite her late-coming to the programme, Angela is determined to let nothing hold her back.
She continued: ‘I look at the younger people and I know I’m not as fit or strong – that’s just a medical fact. But I play tennis, I go to pilates and ballet classes, so I’m pretty fit for someone of my age.
‘I’ve told my pro partner, Kai, there are things I can do, and things I can’t. I just want to do everything properly. I’ve told him, “Challenge me.”’
Angela, who hosted the original version of the programme Come Dancing, has been partnered with professional dancer Kai Widdingtron.
Angela and Kai performed the Cha Cha Cha to Shirley Bassey‘s version of the Pink! song, Get the Party Started and received 28 points out of 40 on Saturday.
During the routine, Angela shocked the judges and viewers when she showcased her incredible flexibility and stretched her leg over head head.
And it appears their relationship may take plenty of credit for Angela’s glowing performance.
She explained: ‘I love him already. We clicked when we met… We laughed all through our first meeting. I’m a very happy bunny that it’s Kai.
Candid: The broadcaster has floored viewers and judges alike with her impressive flexibility
‘Happy bunny’: Angela, who hosted the original version of the programme Come Dancing, has been partnered with professional dancer Kai Widdingtron and says she ‘loves’ him already
Come Dancing! Angela presented the original version of the show back in 1988
‘I told the producers, “I need someone strong, patient and with a sense of humour.” He’s got all those qualities, and he’s a brilliant dancer and choreographer. He and his partner, Nadiya Bychkova, are both fabulous.’
As for what’s next after Strictly, Angela explained that she simply wants to continue working, in a profession she ‘adores’.
She said: ‘People told me, “They’ll never employ anyone over 50.” Well, there’s me, Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville, and we’re in year 15 of Rip Off Britain – we’re still hanging in there.’
On Saturday, Angela wowed viewers with her performance.
She looked sensational in silver fringe mini dress as she performed to Shirley Bassey‘s cover of Pink’s Get The Party Started before kicking her partner lifted her leg for the dramatic finale.
With the duo impressing the duos scoring 28 for their performance which saw them briefly at the top of the leader board.
Taking to Twitter one fan said: ‘I need some tips off Angela Rippon. I’d love to dance like she does and I’m literally half her age!’.
While a second wrote: ‘Angela Rippon’s leg though!’.
Someone else joked: ‘When I grow up I want to be Angela Rippon’.
And: ‘I want Angela Rippon’s legs!’.
What a star! Despite her late-coming to the programme, Angela is determined to let nothing hold her back and wants to be ‘challenged’
It comes after Angela admitted she is finding Strictly training ‘very gruelling’ and her legs ‘feel like they’re going to collapse.’
Speaking in an interview, Angela shed some light on how her training with professional partner Kai is going.
She told The Mirror: ‘My legs feel like they’re about to collapse.
‘I know what I should be doing, I know how it should be feeling, it’s actually making my legs do it to the music. I’m just getting cross and frustrated.’
Angela continued: ‘I’m exhausted. There are bits of me aching that I didn’t know I had. I’m enjoying doing it and I’m fine with the bits that I get right. But I get very angry with myself when I absolutely muck it up and do it wrong.’
Angela’s Strictly stint comes 47 years after she stunned the 27 million viewers of Morecambe and Wise’s 1976 Christmas special by emerging from her newsreader’s desk to perform a high-kicking dance routine, in an era when journalists never ventured into light entertainment.
