Angela Rippon has vowed that there would be many more age-defying movements in her Strictly Come Dancing adventure.
This year, the 79-year-old TV star becomes the oldest contender to ever walk the ballroom.
Angela, who is partnered with Kai Widdrington, 28, has captured the hearts of fans while also impressing everyone with her adaptability.
She left jaws on the floor in the first week with a spectacular leg technique during her cha cha, which had the judges gasping for breath as well.
Angela and Kai told Metro.co.uk that they’ve barely touched the surface of what Angela is capable of, and that Strictly fans should buckle up.
Ahead of their week 4 rumba, Kai teased: ‘We’re hoping for another impactful moment like we had in week 1. We have a few moments in this dance where people can go, “Oh yeah, that’s Angela Rippon, she’s back”.’
On the iconic leg lift, Angela explained: ‘I accept that is a party trick because I just am flexible, that’s why I can do it. It’s not dancing. It’s just a one-off.
‘But Kai will confirm that what he says to me is, “Can you do this?”‘
Chiming in, Kai said: ‘It is a luxury that Angela is very supple and flexible, but it wasn’t dancing, she’s just got a very flexible hamstring which is why we could get her leg that high. This week, though, when we do something of that nature, it is through dance, it’s not just standing there. And she’s dancing through everything that she’s doing this week and it’s another moment.’
‘It’s three moments!’, declared Angela, to which Kai burst out laughing.
‘Oh yeah! There are two more after that. We hit them with a once, twice, three times a lady… so, get ready for it!’
Buckle up, folks!
Angela also discussed how she has received encouragement from friends and Strictly watchers alike, and how she has motivated other older generations to exercise and dance.
‘A lot of people in my age group do come up to me and say, “Well done, thank you for doing it.”
‘Some friends said to me, “You have no idea how much you’ve inspired some of us to get out and do things!”
‘That was one of the reasons why I agreed to do the competition.’
The former Come Dancing star added: ‘Having been involved with dancers for so long, particularly with the Royal Academy of Dancers program and Silver Swans, because we did prove scientifically that dance is the best form of mental and physical exercise, that it was an opportunity to put my money where my mouth is!
‘I don’t expect anyone to do high kicks! But dance is very good for you physically and socially. As you get older, one of the sad things about life is that you lose many of your friends, for one reason or another, but you’re never going to be isolated or lonely if you go to a dance class because you’re making new friends all the time.
‘It keeps you mentally active and alert, but having fun at the same time! It’s very gratifying to think that, in a small way, I’m achieving what I set out to achieve by doing Strictly.’
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday and Sunday on BBC One and iPlayer.
