Angela Rippon makes history on Strictly Come Dancing at age 79

2023-10-22 19:03:04

Angela Rippon: The Rip-Off Britain Making Strictly Come Dancing History Aged 79

Strictly Come Dancing is back for its 21st series, featuring a true broadcasting legend on the lineup. Angela Rippon CBE, a journalist, newsreader, and presenter, has made history at the age of 79 by becoming the oldest celebrity to participate in Strictly. Rippon holds a special connection to the series, having previously presented the BBC's long-running ballroom show Come Dancing.

Born in Plymouth in 1944, Rippon began her career as a journalist at the age of 17. She is widely recognized as one of the first female journalists to regularly read the news on national television, despite the presence of other female newsreaders on both ITN and the BBC in the preceding years.

While reflecting on her career, Rippon has openly discussed the sexism she faced while working on Nine O'Clock News. She revealed that a male colleague once exposed himself to her while she was reading the news live on air, an experience that left her feeling disrespected.

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Angela Rippon's Journey in Dance

Rippon's journey into the world of dance began in 1976 when she performed a routine on the Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show. She went on to be part of the chorus line and eventually became one of the hosts of the original Come Dancing series.

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Airing from 1949 to 1998, the show featured members of the public and competitive dancers performing ballroom routines. In 2004, it was relaunched as the celebrity version known as Strictly Come Dancing, combining the traditions of Come Dancing with the vibrant energy of Baz Luhrmann's film Strictly Ballroom.

Angela Rippon in the World of Entertainment

Rippon's achievements extend beyond news and dance. She hosted the first edition of Top Gear and took part in quiz panel shows like Masterteam and Matchpoint. In 2007, she became the host of Cash in the Attic. Rippon has also presented various radio shows, authored books for different age groups, and remains an active figure in the entertainment industry.

In 2011, Rippon competed on Dancing on Ice and participated in a newsreader-themed Strictly special for Children in Need.

Rippon's Contributions and Controversy

She served as a patron of the Old Time Dance Society and chaired the English National Ballet from 2000 to 2003. However, her time at the ENB was marred by controversy when her deputy accused her of bullying staff. Despite denying the allegations, Rippon stepped down from her position.

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A Celebrated Broadcaster

Currently, Rippon is the presenter of BBC's Rip-Off Britain and regularly appears on Morning Live and The One Show. She also works as a stand-in presenter for GB News. In 2017, she received a CBE for her contributions to dementia care.

Expressing her excitement about joining Strictly Come Dancing, 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!"

Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturdays on BBC One.

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