Angela Rippon’s Strictly mantra: “Let’s do what we can for as long as we can”

“Having been a fan of Strictly since day one, and as a former presenter of Come Dancing, this will be quite an adventure for me. A scary one, considering I’m about to be 79. But I’m really looking forward to the challenge, and perhaps being able to learn to dance the Argentinian Tango,” she said.

Rippon was six years old when she first took up ballet – and told Saga Magazine about the benefits of dancing in a 2016 interview. “Dancing is better than just going to the gym – which tends to use only one set of muscles at a time,” she said. “Dance uses every part of your body, it’s aerobic, uses spatial awareness, helps with balance, is good for flexibility and uses your brain, because you have to remember your steps. I’m so grateful my mum sent me to ballet when I was six for my knock knees.”

In 1976, Rippon surprised her fans with an appearance on The Morecambe and Wise Christmas special, showing off her dancing skills as she emerged from behind the newsreader’s desk with a high kick. Although she’s still a fan of dancing to keep fit, Rippon is modest about her skills. “That was [more than] 40 years ago and I don’t want people to have exaggerated expectations,” she said.

A familiar face on TV screens for more than 50 years, Rippon was the UK’s first regular female news anchor, taking her place on the BBC’s flagship Nine O’Clock News in 1975. In 2017, she received a CBE for services to dementia care and has also presented The Truth About Dementia and How To Stay Young.

After it was announced that Rippon was confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing, the star, who’ll turn 79 in October, appeared on The One Show and talked about her reasons for agreeing to take part. “I’ve been advocating ever since I did a series called How To Stay Young with Chris van Tulleken where we demonstrated that dance is the complete, full mind and body exercise for everybody, regardless of your age, but particularly for people as they get older,” she said.

“I know I’m not going to lift that Glitterball, but it would be wonderful if I could last long enough, a few weeks, and demonstrate even at my age that it genuinely is possible for people that are older to be able to dance, to keep fit and strong, help with their posture and balance, and to feel like a million dollars.”

Taking a modest approach might just pay off for the much-loved star, who says that doing the splits is her “party trick”. Her mantra for the show is clear: “Let’s do what we can, as well as we can, for as long as we can – and let’s have fun.”

Rippon told Saga that she eats sensibly and exercises; and after filming The Truth About Dementia, she decided to study Chinese to keep her brain active. She also shared with Saga her pragmatic advice for staying happy and healthy. “Stop looking for the elixir of youth. Regardless of whatever may be available pharmaceutically or chemically, the best things you can do if you want to live a long and healthy life are the things you can do for yourself,” she said.

“Take charge of what you eat, drink and do. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune and can be fun. Try new things, keep active, have fun with your mates, keep involved with your people. A long and healthy life? It’s in your own hands.”