Angela Rippon made her Strictly Come Dancing debut on Saturday night when she took to the dance floor alongside professional partner, Kai Widdrington, to perform the Cha Cha Cha and it’s safe to say she made quite an impression.
Television and certified national treasure, 78, impressed the crowd and left the judges’ jaws on the floor with that iconic leg extension that will go down in history.
WATCH: Angela Rippon’s routine stunned fans
Angela is no stranger to dance as she studied ballet when she was younger – more on that later – and as host of the original dance show, Come to the dance.
It looks like it will serve her well for the competition! Find out more about Angela’s early career and dance experience below…
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Angela Rippon’s early career
Angela Rippon is a respected journalist and television presenter who has been a familiar face on television screens across the country since the 1960s. She first joined the BBC as a 21-year-old working for BBC South West as a television reporter in her home town of Plymouth. By 1975, she was given a permanent role on BBC One news as a regular news presenter.
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© Mirrorpix Angela Rippon 1975
After that, Angela started collecting presenting credits. She presented reporting on the Eurovision Song Contest and started hosting Top Gear between 1977 and 1979 Angela also appeared in programs such as Matchpoint, Masterteam and was a regular guest on BBC Radio Two. She was, of course, also the host of the ball competition, Come to the dance.
© Andy Butterton – PA ImagesAngela Rippon arriving at the Variety Club gala lunch in 2002.
Angela then became known as a host of historical events. In 1979, she presented most of the news coverage of the general election results in which Great Britain elected its first Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. She also hosted the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981.
Angela’s other early credits include: Angela’s morning report, Sun, sea and favorable observationand was a newsreader for Big breakfast.
© Joel Ryan – PA ImagesAngela Rippon and Lionel Blair are in the mood to dance at The Critics Circle National Dance Awards at Sadlers Wells
Later career of Angela Rippon
In recent years, Angela’s career has shown no signs of slowing down. She continued to work closely with the BBC for its news coverage as well as special programmes, for example with Children in need. Angela also continued her work in radio working on BBC Five Live and the BBC One TV series, How to stay young.
Since then she has appeared on GB News and ITV News and has lent her knowledge of the broadcaster to major events such as the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
© Guy LevyKai Widdrington and Angela Rippon on Strictly Come Dancing
Angela Rippon’s Dance Experience
Before her dancing career, Angela trained in classical ballet until she was 17 years old. The host obviously kept up her dancing knowledge and talent, since she became the president of the English National Ballet.
There is no doubt that hosting on Come to the dance will help her acquire some ballroom and Latin knowledge that she may need for the duration Strictly!
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education