Angela Rippon branded an 'inspiration' over huge career move amid demanding Strictly schedule

Angela Rippon splits

Angela Rippon's split move was the highlight of her Strictly Come Dancing debut

BBC
Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 27/09/2023

- 15:00

The 78-year-old wowed audiences during her Strictly debut alongside Kai Widdrington on Saturday

Angela Rippon has left her fans in disbelief after sharing an insight into her hectic work diary.

The GB News presenter has been inundated with praise after revealing that not only is she juggling the rigours of Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals, but has also returned to work on another TV series.


Taking a break from the tutelage of Kai Widdrington and the exhausting demands of training, Rippon has returned to work on Rip Off Britain.

With a new series of the BBC show in the pipeline, Rippon hasn't let the demands of Strictly stand in the way of her being a part of the consumer programme.

Rippon shared the news on Instagram as she posted a video of herself from inside a recording booth to put the finishing touches on the new episodes.

"Hi. Well, you've joined me at, I suppose what you call is my other day job at the moment," Rippon began in the clip.

Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington

Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington have been hard at work in rehearsals

BBC

Shedding light on the full-on demands she's facing, Rippon continued: "Because I've just done six hours of training with Kai, my partner for Strictly Come Dancing...

"And now I'm here in a recording studio, recording commentary for films for the brand new series of Rip Off Britain, the consumer programme I do for the BBC.

"So no waltzes or tangos or quicksteps for the moment, just Rip Off Britain again, fighting for the rights of consumers," Rippon added.

The 78-year-old informed her followers that the new episodes would air on Monday but instead of excited messages about the new series, many who responded were simply in awe at Rippon's work ethic.

WATCH HERE: Rippon shares work update 

"Wow, I don’t know how you do it! Your energy is endless," one fan replied while a second added: "Don't you ever get tired?" followed by a love heart emoji.

A third also weighed in: "Find you so inspirational. Rooting for you and Kai in strictly."

And a fourth kept it short and sweet as they praised: "You are just amazing." (sic)

Before Rippon's new episodes of Rip Off Britain air, however, she faces the task of dancing for the second time in Week Two of Strictly.

Rippon blew the judges, studio audience, and BBC viewers away with her debut routine - in which she performed an age-defying split with the help of Widdrington - and ended up sixth out of 15 on the leaderboard.

Despite "mucking up" in training, Rippon has proved any doubters wrong and will be hoping to replicate the success again this coming weekend.

However, the same can't be said for the likes of comedian and actor Les Dennis, as well as BBC Asian Network DJ Nikita Kanda.

Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington

Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington took on the Cha Cha in week one

BBC

Dennis finished bottom of the leaderboard after week one while Kanda narrowly avoided the bottom spot and bookmakers have priced the pair as a two-horse race to be eliminated first.

Former EastEnders actor Nigel Harman, alongside partner Katya Jones, was the celebrity who topped the leaderboard after week one with a score of 32.

Rippon racked up a score of 28 with her Cha Cha and is hoping to wow again as she and Widdrington take on the Foxtrot to Frank Sinatra's You Make Me Feel So Young.

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