Strictly Come Dancing's Angela Rippon 'told she was too old by BBC bosses'

10 October 2023 , 06:34

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Angela's fate was almost very different (Image: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)

Strictly Come Dancing's Angela Rippon was once told by BBC bosses at the age of 50 that her television career was over and she should make way for 'younger women'.

Despite this, Angela has recently become the oldest contestant to ever appear on the BBC dancing competition. Angela, who will celebrate her 79th birthday on Thursday, October 12, is partnered with Strictly professional Kai Widdrington and has consistently impressed viewers each week. Kai paid tribute to Angela, describing her as an inspiration to millions of older people. He said: "Look how amazing she is."

The Plymouth-born newsreader told Woman's Weekly she was told she was too old to continue with her job. Speaking to the magazine, she recalled part of the conversation, 'Angela, you've had your day and you have to make room for the other women coming up behind you'.

Angela Rippon was previously told by BBC bosses to make way for younger women (BBC/Guy Levy)

Angela told the magazine: "I'm well into my 70s and I'm still doing a full-time job in television and broadcasting, so I suppose that's my revenge for having to listen to that kind of patronising twaddle!" In 2018, while filming the tenth series of Rip Off Britain, Angela Rippon candidly discussed her approach to maintaining her youthfulness. She stated: "My job requires me to be as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at the beginning of the day as the end, so I try to take care of myself. I have to be careful with my diet after I suffered serious food poisoning 30 years ago, and I'm lactose intolerant."

She also shared her experience participating in a documentary titled 'How To Stay Young', where she discovered that despite having no external fat, she had a high level of visceral fat around her liver, which can lead to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. As a result, she now follows a diet rich in complex carbohydrates and high-fibre Inulin, which has helped control this issue.

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Angela expressed her views on ageing, stating that there "used to be a view that people should grow old gracefully, retire from public life and sit in a rocking chair and crochet blankets for their knees", but she was never going to follow that path.

She further added: "Age isn't important to me, because, in my head, I feel in my 30s. I have the unique privilege that people still ask me to work and I travel to places and meet people that most would give their right arm to do." She concluded by saying, "It's never occurred to me to retire. I'm not conventional and I still love trying new things. That's what I mean by 'ageing dis-gracefully'."

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]

Daniel Bird