Angela Rippon, a veteran broadcaster with nearly 60 years of experience, was described as the “dream signing” when she agreed to take part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2023
Angela Rippon — Strictly Come Dancing’s oldest ever contestant — is interested in presenting the BBC flagship show, reports claim.
The veteran broadcaster dazzled viewers with her jaw-dropping high kick when she was a competitor in 2023. She was the eighth celebrity to be eliminated, getting the boot in Blackpool after she and pro partner Kai Widdrington performed American Smooth to Tea For Two by Ella Fitzgerald.
But the former newsreader, who presented the original Come Dancing series between 1988 and 1991, has thrown her hat into the ring to host the much-loved revamp. Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are both leaving after the current season, which will reach its finale next month.
When asked about stepping into either of their shoes, Angela, who is 81, said: “If they asked me, of course. It’s a very popular programme. Claudia and Tess have done a fabulous job, but no job is for life.”
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The shock move would come more than three decades after the BBC’s then-director-general, Lord (John) Birt, told Angela she’d “had her day” when she was a spring chicken aged 50. The Daily Mail says, though, the journalist — who has more than 60 years of experience in broadcasting — would excite fans of the flagship programme.
Speaking this week at the Starry Night Gala supporting the charity Action for Children at The Peninsula London, Angela said the next host must be “someone that will bring the glamour, and just what everyone loves about Strictly”. Indeed, she competed in it — becoming the oldest contestant ever to do so — at the age of 79 in 2023.
Angela, the daughter of a Royal Marine, has had a long and varied career in the media, including her post as Top Gear presenter in the 1970s and, more recently, as host of Holiday Hit Squad with Helen Skelton and Joe Crowley.
And when she was snapped up to take part in Strictly two years ago, one source said: “She is the dream signing. The audience at home will love her, and many of them will remember her from her days hosting the show in its previous incarnation.”
The broadcaster, originally from Plymouth, Devon, has remained close to her Strictly partner, Kai, 30, and the two recently teamed up to launch “Let’s Dance!”, a project designed to inspire people of all ages to experience the joy of dancing.
But, even despite her interest and experience, Angela faces huge competition for either of the Strictly vacancies. Former This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby has been linked with the gig, as has Alan Carr, following his The Celebrity Traitors triumph.