Angela Rippon branded 'incredible' as Eamonn Holmes exposes impressive moment fans missed from Strictly debut

The duo performed a Cha Cha to the track Get the Party Started.

As if her lightness on her feet and chemistry with Widdrington wasn't enough, Rippon then blew the audience away as she performed a show-stopping split as her partner lifted her leg into the air.

Judge Anton du Beke was lost for words, Craig Revel Horwood branded it "jaw-dropping, Mabuse exclaimed "wowzer", and Ballas described the performance as "spectacular".

The routine left Rippon sitting in an impressive sixth spot out of 15 on the leaderboard with 28 points.

Rippon's efforts also became a talking point on Monday's Breakfast with Eamonn and Isabel as they welcomed Christopher Biggins and Ella Whelan to go through the day's newspapers.

WATCH HERE: Panel on Rippon's Strictly debut

"Can we talk about something really happy and nice," Holmes teed up. "Angela Rippon is 78 years of age, she is the oldest ever contestant to take part..."

After seeing a pic of the leg lift, Webster weighed in: "Look at that! I messaged you at the time saying, 'Are you watching this, Eamonn!?'

Holmes even teased that Rippon's leg can't have been real due to the impressive nature of the stunt.

"Angela is fantastic, I mean she is wonderful," Biggins weighed in to which Holmes agreed: "Incredible."

Biggins continued: "I think she'll do (great) and (Saturday) night too was one of those when the audience went for her in a big way because she is an icon particularly in the dancing world."

Webster then pondered if she could do Strictly but admitted she had reservations about feeling too old herself - although Rippon has proved a reminder that isn't necessarily the case.

Praising Rippon, Webster pointed out the 78-year-old "reminds us there's life in you" as you get older.

Whelan shared her point of view as she commented: "Angela Rippon has been not just only glamourous but one of the most achieving women in television for a very long time so I've no doubt she's gonna show the competition."

After perusing the clips and photos from Saturday evening, Holmes then interjected to point out a rather impressive feat he'd spotted from Rippon's performance.

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Holmes referred back to the famous dance Rippon performed with comedy duo Morecambe and Wise and pointed out that, even at 78, Rippon exceeded the standards she'd previously set.

"I'm just looking at pictures here," Holmes weighed in. "She actually got it up higher than she did on the Morecambe and Wise show, look at this!"

"Unbelievable!" Webster replied while Biggins reiterated: "She is fantastic and I think she's great."

Rippon's performance has landed her in good stead to avoid the first elimination of the series this coming weekend.

However, the same sadly can't be said for Les Dennis who propped up the frirst leaderboard of the series with just 16 points.