Strictly Come Dancing fans were left stunned during the latest live show as Angela Rippon made a guest appearance in the ballroom. The legendary journalist, newsreader and presenter made a special appearance as the dance contest aired a special episode in tribute to the BBC's centenary.
Elsewhere, Huw Edwards, Naga Munchetty and Graham Norton were also among the BBC stars who featured in a special opening of Strictly to mark the broadcaster's 100 year anniversary. Their appearances came as the show kicked off with the professional dancers and judges performing a routine that moved through numerous classic BBC shows including Casualty, EastEnders and University Challenge.
However, Angela had a different role to play as host Tess Daly stepped aside for her to introduce Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima to the dancefloor for their latest performance, a week after landing in the dreaded dance-off.
It came as the surviving couple performed a Quickstep to Ballroom Blitz by Sweet from the show Come Dancing, which Angela hosted and has been credited as the parent show of Strictly after being dubbed the ‘original’ after airing on-and-off from 1949 until 1998.
She even referenced how they may not have either been her without the ballroom dancing competition show which saw dancers from different regions of the United Kingdom going head to head for the coveted trophy.
Former Coronation Street star Kym and her partner Graziano then took to the dancefloor for a high-octane routine in flamboyant outfits to secure a score of 27 - which many viewers have since complained was 'undermarked'. But it appears Angela may have took the limelight away from the couple as fans gushed over the star and her age-defying appearance.
@Peeterrr3 tweeted: "Angela Rippon looks great for 78 #strictly." @Fyrishsunset said: "Angela Rippon - 78 years young and still impossibly gorgeous. What a girl #Strictly." @msjenmac posted: "Angela Rippon has literally looked the same for over forty years.Stunning lady #strictly." @SandraLoy1 echoed: "Damn, how has the divine Angela Rippon not aged in 50 years? I’ll have what she’s having #Strictly."
Others felt like current host Tess should be fearing for her job. @Janksy_ shared: "Angela Rippon replacing Tess on Strictly when? #Strictly." @scottm screamed: "WHY IS ANGELA NOT A REGULAR PRESENTER OF THIS SHOW #Strictly." @HeatherJordan3 shared: "Can we have Angela Rippon back please? What an absolute PRO!!! #Strictly."
@spiropyran wrote: "Sorry but Angela Rippon has just, in 30 seconds, out-presented 6 years of Tess and Claudia - absolute icon. #Strictly." @evilniamh declared: "Deactivate Tess and keep Angela Rippon!! #Strictly." @lynzi75 added: "Petition to replace Tess Daly with queen Angela Rippon #strictly."
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