Angela Rippon is eighth celeb to be booted off ‘Strictly Come Dancing’: ‘I’ve had the time of my life’

Angela Rippon is the eighth celebrity to be kicked off ‘Strictly Come Dancing 2023’.

The 79-year-old broadcaster – who made history as the show's oldest participant when this year’s line-up of the BBC One show was announced – was dropped on Sunday (19.11.23) night’s results show after she faced actor Bobby Brazier, 20, in the dance-off.

When asked by ‘Strictly’ host Tess Daly how she felt about her time on the show, Angela said: “I have to tell you that the last nine weeks have probably been the most terrifying, the most fantastic, the most glorious, the most joyful that I have spent for a very long time in my profession.

“I have had the time of my life, people keep making reference to the fact that I presented ‘Come Dancing’, but that was 40 years ago, that was a different time! “(Kai Widdrington – her ‘Strictly’ professional dancer partner) wasn’t even born then! But actually being this side of the competition, this side of the programme has been really an eye opener for me in so many different ways.

“Everybody talks about the team and all the pros – everyone who has danced – there is a real team spirit in this programme unlike anything I’ve come across anywhere else in any of the many programmes I’ve done.

“It’s absolutely fabulous. They support us, they encourage us all the time – it’s absolutely wonderful. But the person who really has to get the most credit is this gentleman here (Kai.)

“He’s an old soul on young shoulders. He’s 28 and I’m 79, there’s a 51-year difference in our ages.

“He has looked after me so brilliantly, he’s a wonderful dancer, a great choreographer, but he’s a terrific teacher… and he has the patience of a saint!

“All I can say is that you’ve (Kai) got me here so don’t you dare cry! He and his partner, Nadiya (Bychkova), are in every sense of the word beautiful people and I am so pleased to have you in my life.”

Kai, 28, told Tess: “Since week one when I met this amazing woman – as she said I wasn’t even born when she did ‘Come Dancing’, I had to ask my parents about the amazing Morecombe and Wise moment that was so famous, and about Come Dancing.

“Like Angela just said, there’s a 50-year age gap between us, but we’re like mates!

“Dancing with (Angela) the whole way through this competition has just been such a celebration of yourself and her life and I wish she could see me now.”

He added to Angela: “I’m so proud of you and you should be proud of yourself, it’s been my absolute honour and pleasure to dance with you especially in this beautiful ballroom.”

Saturday night’s show saw the remaining couples take to the Blackpool Tower Ballroom to perform for the judging panel of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge, Shirley Ballas, as well as the voting public.

On Sunday, Angela and Kai again performed their American Smooth to ‘Tea for Two’ by Ella Fitzgerald, while Bobby and his pro partner Dianne Buswell, 34, performed their Jive to ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go Go’ by Wham!.

Craig chose to save Bobby and Dianne, saying: “Well, there’s a standout performance for me that I can’t ignore and the couple that I would like to save are Bobby and Dianne.”

Motsi also went for the pair, adding: “I felt that both couples danced so beautifully. Really one of the most beautiful dance offs we have had. I am going to save Bobby and Dianne.”

Anton Du Beke went with Bobby and Dianne, saying: “Well again, I thought it was a marvellous dance off. Both couples danced very, very well. I thought Bobby and Dianne danced excellently again.

“I thought that Angela and Kai’s dance was beautiful and Angela even thanked one of the other dancers for lifting her and putting her down so gracefully which I thought was absolutely beautiful. For me the couple I would like to save are Bobby and Dianne.”

With three votes to Bobby and Dianne, it meant they had won the majority vote and would be staying in the competition, but Shirley Ballas also said she would have decided to save Bobby and Dianne.

The remaining six couples will next take to the dancefloor when ‘Strictly’ returns on Saturday 25 November at 7.30pm, with the results show on Sunday 26 November at 7.20pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.