Angela Rippon's history with Strictly Come Dancing dates to the 80s, here's why the show is extremely special for her.
Strictly Come Dancing is back with a bang. The new season which will release soon is set to see some diversity in its contestants, as it always does. This year’s lineup looks nothing short of interesting, with 15 new celebrities who are imminent in their areas of expertise, putting on their dancing shoes and shocking the audience with their moves.
Among the esteemed contestants that are ready to shake it off next month, its oldest contestant has already caught the eye of the audience. But, this time, it isn’t for her age, but her abilities. Here’s who the oldest contestant of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing is, and what she is capable of.
Strictly’s oldest contestant
Strictly Come Dancing announced its lineup for the year 2023, and it features none other than Angela Rippon. Being the oldest contestant the show has ever had, Angela is ready to rock the stage at 78 years of age, thus breaking a record. Angela is known for breaking records as she was the first female journalist to who was a permanent presenter of the BBC national television news.
Her diverse career portfolio includes positions such as a journalist, newsreader, presenter, writer, and now, a dancer. She has somewhat of a special connection with dance, and her fans are stoked to see what she has in store for them. But, win or lose, she has some unique dance skills up her sleeves, and this is what they are.
Angela’s incredible dancing skills
As per the head judge of Strictly Come Dancing, Shirley Ballas, Angela has some special skills that the world hasn’t seen yet. And despite her age almost hitting 80, Angela Rippon can allegedly do the splits. Speaking to Metro, Shirley Ballas said the following, while talking about Rippon:
“If her dancing is as elegant as the way she stands and talks, then we’re in for a real treat. She can do the splits, you know?"
Not only is Angela a seasoned dancer who has ‘got the moves’, but she also has a history with Strictly Come, which makes her upcoming participation even more exciting for her fans.
Angela Rippon’s history with Strictly Come Dancing
Although Strictly Come Dancing has only been on air since 2004, completing 20 seasons right now, Angela’s association with the show goes way beyond that. Strictly Come Dancing had an original show that it was kind of derived from, and Angela was the host of that show. The competitive dance show titled Come Dancing saw Angela Rippon as its host between 1988 and 1991.
And coincidentally, Shirley Ballas was once a contestant in this show, when Rippon was the host. So Shirley is eager to see what Angela has in store for the viewers of Strictly Come. She said the following about it:
"I’m doing a bit of fangirling. I’ve got Angela Rippon who was the host in the 1991 United Kingdom Championships at the BIC centre in Bournemouth when I danced – I made final that year – so I’m fangirling over her."
Angela Rippon’s connection with dancing
Angela Rippon has never shied away from breaking out those moves. Even in 1976, she once stepped aside from her news desk for a Christmas special of Morecambe and Wise and presented a wildly appreciated dance routine. As per Yahoo! News, in a statement about her new step into the world of dance, Rippon said:
“Having been a fan of Strictly since day one, and as a former presenter of Come Dancing, this will be quite an adventure for me. A scary one, considering I’m about to be 79. But I’m really looking forward to the challenge, and perhaps being able to learn to dance the Argentinian Tango!”
Read more:
⋙ Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas teases 2023 line-up will be the best ever
⋙ Strictly Come Dancing 2022: Start date, celebrities, judges, and more
⋙ Strictly's Amy Dowden shares more sad news with fans about her health
⋙ Two EastEnders legends set to appear on upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing
