Legendary presenter and GB News star Angela Rippon is readying herself to take to the Strictly Come Dancing dance floor for the first time this year.
After a decorated near-six-decade career in showbiz, her decision to take part in the BBC staple was met with widespread applause as many eagerly await to see how she performs for the judges.
However, a minority have also hit out at Rippon's appointment given the 78-year-old's previous experience in the dance industry.
When she was unveiled as one of the first stars to be taking part, a resurfaced clip of Rippon dancing on Morecambe and Wise went viral which showed the broadcaster showing off her moves.
She isn't alone as fellow contestants Angela Scanlon and Layton Williams have also fallen victim to critics who've moaned about the fairness of the contest.
But Rippon isn't fazed by any critique of her dance experience as she superbly dismissed the claims by saying: "I mean, I presented Come Dancing, I didn't dance."
Angela Rippon is taking part on this year's Strictly
BBC
She did acknowledge, however: "But I've been very fortunate that I've been around dancers for a very long time doing Come Dancing, and I was on the board of English National Ballet for 10 years, and I was the chairman for four years.
"I've been around dancers and now I'm an ambassador for Silver Swans. So I think I'm quite good at looking, so I know what's required," she explained.
Rippon delved further to RadioTimes.com and other press: "I did go to ballet class until I was about 17, so my brain says, 'Yeah I know how to do that.'
"But my brain [also] says, 'What the hell are you doing?'" she added with her typical sense of humour.
It isn't yet known which Strictly professional will be tasked with putting Rippon through her paces but two former pros told GB News who they thought would be the "perfect" choice.
GB News spoke to Vincent Simone and Ian Waite about the upcoming series and when asked who Rippon should be pair with, the former instantly replied: "Anton [du Beke]!"
"Yes, Anton would've been perfect for her," Waite agreed but given he now serves as a judge on the series, the pair had to turn their attention elsewhere.
Waite weighed up his options before identifying the key candidates as he explained: "You know, Angela's not small, she's quite tall so she'll want a tall partner I would have thought.
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Angela Rippon was one of the first stars unveiled as a Strictly 2023 contestant BBC"So somebody nurturing like a Johannes [Radebe] type of partner or Graziano [di Prima] I think would be great with Angela because they would be tall, they would encourage her and I think she'd do well with them.
"I think the producers are very mindful of putting certain personalities together.
"So they'll make sure that if Angela needs somebody who is very nurturing and intelligent, and will give her the sort of inspiration that she needs," Waite added.
Rippon will be taking on the likes of The full line-up consists of Amanda Abbington, Layton Williams, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Eddie Kadi, Angela Scanlon, Zara McDermott, Adam Thomas, Nikita Kanda, Ellie Leach, Jody Cundy CBE, Bobby Brazier, Nigel Harman, Annabel Croft, and Les Dennis in the battle for the Glitterball Trophy this year.
