Veteran broadcaster Angela Rippon has said her “wonderful” Let’s Dance initiative was inspired by her time on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2023.
Rippon, now 81, spearheaded the campaign last year, which saw a series of events take place across the UK encouraging people to use dance as a means to get fit.
Speaking on BBC One’s The One Show, Rippon has said that her Strictly stint, which saw her become the oldest contestant in the show’s history at 79, inspired the movement.
She said: “It came out of Strictly, because so many people were so kind with their comments about seeing a 79-year-old being able to dance.
“Dance is not just an entertainment to watch and not just a wonderful thing to do, but it actually really does make a difference to you.
Speaking to hosts JB Gill and Angelica Bell, she added: “If you want to get fit, dancing is a great way to do it.”
Last year, Let’s Dance saw more than 22,000 dance teachers get involved, with a host of events at community centres, dance clubs, studios and hospitals with the aim of getting people moving and dancing together.
The campaign has been backed by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who described it as having a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing, while helping to reduce the risk of developing serious illnesses.
Rippon said: “I got in touch with all the (dance) teachers in the country and said, ‘how about we all get together, and try and get more people to dance’, and it’s kind of grown like that.
“The dance teachers are the real sort of heroes in all of this.
“They open their doors and say to people, ‘come and see what dance can do for you and get fit and make friends. Nobody is going to judge you’.”
She added: “It’s a wonderful opportunity for many people who have serious medical conditions, like Parkinson’s, mental health, cancer – all sorts of different conditions which are genuinely helped by going to a dance class.
“It supports them, it makes it helps them to feel good about themselves.”
Let’s Dance is backed by the Sport and Recreation Alliance, the NHS and Parkinson’s UK, and is set to take place next month on March 8, which is the UK’s national day of dance.
The One Show is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on weekdays from 7pm.
