Strictly waltz will be a step back in time for Angela Rippon
Strictly favourite Angela, 79, who will step out with pro-partner Kai Widdrington, 28, to Nat King Cole’s Fascination, says it will be special.
She explained: “My father loved dancing and if we went to a family occasion or anywhere there was dancing I’d stand on his feet while he danced around.”
Angela, who trained in ballet throughout her teens, added: “I think waltzing was one of the first I ever did as a little girl.
“When I was growing up we danced.” Her father, who died a decade ago, was a Royal Marine awarded a string of medals in the Second World War. He only returned when Angela was three. She recalls “a face of sour milk” as they met for the first time. That soon changed and they became devoted.
“I want to make my dad proud every day,” she says. “I can tell you, though, standing on my father’s feet, and dancing with Kai, are entirely different.” Her competitive spirit is deep-rooted.
READ MORE Strictly star Angela Rippon reveals she’s ‘not worried’ about the Strictly curse
The Rip-Off Britain host left school at 17 to be a journalist and rose to be the first regular woman anchor of the BBC Nine O’Clock news.
When she repeated her astonishing high leg kick from the Morecambe and Wise show in 1976 on Strictly, the nation sat up. Judge Shirley Ballas called her an inspiration.
Even Craig Revel-Horwood gave her a “9” last week. “We took it to the bank and ran,” laughs Kai. However she waltzes tonight, on or off Kai’s feet, Angela’s father would be incredibly proud.
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