Former Newsreader Angela Rippon Aims to Motivate Women Her Age
Angela Rippon, at the age of 78, is the oldest contestant to ever grace the Strictly dancefloor. As a former host of the original Come Dancing, Rippon is determined to encourage older adults to pursue their passion for dancing.
Recreating Famous High Kicks from the 1976 Morecambe and Wise Christmas Special
When asked if she would be allowed to recreate her iconic high kicks from the 1976 Morecambe and Wise Christmas special, Rippon confidently stated, "I don't know. Ask the choreographers. I can still do it."
Inspiring Women of Her Age
Rippon expressed her desire to be an inspiration for women her age. She has already received encouraging messages from others, such as a fellow shopper at Waitrose who said, "All my friends and I say that women our age and our hair color become invisible, but thank you because you're going to make headlines for us."
Dance as the Best Exercise for Mind and Body
Rippon recognizes the importance of promoting dance as a form of exercise for older people. She states, "If I can get older people dancing, that would be great. We know that dance is the best exercise as you get older for mind and for body. Strength, core, flexibility, everything — using your brain all the time. I think getting that message across is important."
Feeling Youthful at Heart
Despite being the oldest contestant, Rippon maintains a youthful mindset, saying, "In my mind, I'm still 30." However, she acknowledges the physical challenges of participating in the show, admitting that her body sometimes questions her decision to dance. Nevertheless, she is grateful that she hasn't experienced any discomfort thus far.
