09 August 2023 , 11:58
980
0
Shirley Ballas has revealed Strictly Come Dancing star Angela Rippon will be one to watch this year despite being the series' oldest ever signing at 78.
The head judge praised the broadcaster and told viewers they can expect "splits" and "kicks" from Angela, who hosted the original Come Dancing for three years until 1991 and again in 1998. Speaking about the upcoming series, Shirley revealed in a recent interview that Angela "knows what it takes" to compete in Strictly.
"Angela has been around dancing the majority of her life and she knows what it takes. She wouldn't have signed up if she wasn't ready for hard work," she said. "She will get somebody who will put her through her paces but take into consideration her age. The age bares no boundaries with Angela."
Angela is the oldest Strictly signing ever (Blakeway Productions)"We are going to see her doing splits and kicks and probably all sorts of things. This is a lady that is going to surprise everybody. She certainly has the grace and the beauty and charm. She is a very special lady," she told MailOnline.
Angela hosted the United Kingdom Latin American Championships in 1991 in Bournemouth, where Shirley reached the final and the Strictly head judge also appeared on Come Dancing when Angela hosted the TV competition. Strictly have confirmed 12 contestants for this year's series so far with at least one more announcement to come on Thursday's edition of ITV's Lorraine.
Strictly's Molly Rainford and Tyler West fuel romance rumours while on tour
Angela Rippon danced with Ernie Wise during the 1976 Morecambe and Wise Christmas special (bbc)Amanda Abbington, broadcaster Angela and West End star Layton Williams were the first names to be announced last Friday before Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy told Claudia Winkleman on BBC Radio 2 he had joined the line-up. Zara McDermott made history as the first former Love Island star to sign up to Strictly while presenter Angela Scanlon and comedian Eddie Kadi will also take to the dance floor.
Soap stars Adam Thomas, who starred as Adam Barton in Emmerdale, Coronation Street's Ellie Leech and EastEnders star Bobby Brazier have also signed up to the series. BBC radio and TV presenter Nikita Kanda and Paralympian Jody Cundy complete the 2023 line-up so far.