Angela Rippon has been showing off her skills on Strictly Come Dancing this year, but she has long been remembered for her dance moves.
The newsreader, 79, has recalled how her legs became famous after she did an astonishing high kick on the Morecambe and Wise Show back in 1976.
The revolutionary dance saw her high kick her way through Let’s Face The Music And Dance on the comedic duo’s Christmas show, and the moment went down in history.
Angela has now told how her legs became famous after the iconic TV appearance, admitting people would ask her to show them her legs for years afterwards.
But the TV journalist, who amazing recreated the kick on Strictly this year, insisted she always took it as a ‘huge compliment’.
‘I took it as a huge compliment’: Angela Rippon has recalled how her legs became famous after she did an astonishing high kick on the Morecambe and Wise Show back in 1976
She told The Mirror: ‘For years after [the show] people would say, ‘Hello, Ange, show us your legs’.
‘You work in broadcasting and hope what you do resonates or pleases or entertains or informs the audience, but it’s nice to be remembered for something. I took it as a huge compliment.’
She incredibly recreated the high kick during her first dance on Strictly, with head judge Shirley calling her an inspiration for the move.
Angela also shut down the suggestion that her appearance on Strictly will bring in new admirers for her, insisting it has not made her change her mind and think she needs a man in her life.
Angela and her professional dancer Kai Widdrington, 28, are gearing up for another week on Strictly, where they will dance the waltz to Nat King Cole’s Fascination.
She admitted the dance has made her think of her late father John Rippon because, as a young child, she would stand on his feet while he danced the waltz.
Icon: She incredibly recreated the high kick during her first dance on Strictly, with head judge Shirley calling her an inspiration for the move
Wow! Last week, Angela and Kai impressively came fourth on the leaderboard with their Charleston to the Murder, She Wrote theme song for Halloween week
Angela described her father John, who died in May 2003, as the ‘hero of my life’ and told how she wants to make him proud with the dance.
She said: ‘My father loved dancing and if we went to a family occasion or anywhere there was dancing, I would stand on his feet while he danced around, I think waltzing was one of the first I ever did as a little girl.’
Last week, Angela and Kai impressively came fourth on the leaderboard with their Charleston to the Murder, She Wrote theme song for Halloween week.
Kai has insisted he and Angela do not want to go home yet as they prepare to pull out all the stops for their week seven dance on Saturday night.
Strictly 2023: Week Six Leaderboard – Halloween Dances
Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin – Tango to Vampire by Olivia Rodrigo – 36 points out of 40
Nigel Harman and Katya Jones – Cha Cha to I Was Made For Lovin’ You by Kiss – 30 points out of 40
Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk – American Smooth to Magic Moments by Perry Como – 32 points out of 40
Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington – Charleston to the Murder, She Wrote theme song – 33 points out of 40
Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell – Cha Cha to Come-On-A-My-House by Della Reese – 30 points out of 40
Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe – Tango to Need U Tonight by INXS – 29 points out of 40
Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola – alsa to Murder on the Dance Floor by Sophie Ellis-Bextor – 38 points out of 40
Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima – Charleston to Jeepers Creepers by Al Donahue and his Orchestra – 25 points out of 40
Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu – Paso Doble to Black swan SWAN lake by District 78 – 33 points out of 40
Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Lauren Oakley – Viennese Waltz to Kiss from a Rose by Sea – 27 points out of 40
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2023: THE CONTESTANTS’ PROFILES
Angela Rippon
Age: 78
Profession: Journalist
Angela says: ‘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 looking forward to the challenge, and perhaps being able to learn to dance the Argentine Tango.’
Amanda Abbington
Age: 49
Profession: Actress
Amanda says: ‘I’m thrilled to have been asked to do Strictly. I’m actually really shy and self-conscious so this will be a great opportunity for me to overcome those things.’
Layton Williams
Age: 28
Profession: Actor
Layton says: ‘Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK! It’s time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!’
Krishnan Guru-Murthy
Age: 53
Profession: Journalist
Krishnan says: ‘I’m surprised, delighted and slightly confused to find myself taking part in Strictly on the basis of ‘You only live once!’ I can’t wait to start learning to dance, but I am slightly worried about my general decrepitude.’
Eddie Kadi
Age: 40
Profession: Comedian and radio presenter
Eddie says: ‘WOW. Anyone who knows me, understands that music and dance is so important and central to who I am. I’m so unbelievably proud and honoured that Strictly and the BBC have asked me to join the 2023 Team. I promise you, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. This is going to be a VIBE.
Angela Scanlon
Age: 39
Profession: TV presenter
Angela says: ‘I’m not particularly fit, I’ve no idea how my pelvic floor is going to react to this dancing. I’ve never done any dances apart from drunken jiving at a wedding!’
Zara McDermott
Age: 26
Profession: Documentary maker and former Love Island star
Zara says: ‘I am so excited to be joining the world of Strictly! I grew up watching it every year with my nan and she was the biggest Strictly fan. We would dance around the house and I have such fond memories of that time in my life.’
Adam Thomas
Age: 34
Profession: Actor and presenter
Adam says: ‘I can’t dance to save my life but I’m buzzing to learn and have a good laugh with my pro. Get me on that dance floor…I can’t wait!’
Ellie Leach
Age: 22
Profession: Coronation Street star
Ellie says: ‘It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be doing Strictly!! It’s always been a dream of mine so I guess dreams really do come true!!!!’
Bobby Brazier
Age: 20
Profession: EastEnders star and model
Bobby says: ‘I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly line up, I can’t wait to start training like a professional dancer and adding a few moves to my locker. I’m looking forward to performing in-front of everyone.’
Nigel Harman
Age: 49
Profession: Actor
Nigel says: ‘I’m amazed, excited, and terrified to be doing Strictly. As an armchair fan of the show I have watched in awe as people have twirled and gyrated across the screen. And now it’s my turn…..gulp!’
Annabel Croft
Age: 57
Profession: Broadcaster and ex tennis player
Annabel says: ‘I have always loved watching Strictly and can’t quite believe I’m going to be part of this magical show – swapping tennis balls for glitter balls and looking forward to finding some joyfulness in the process.’
