Angela Rippon shows off her prowess as Strictly Come Dancing live tour kicks off with moves you'd think were off limits for a 79-year-old
Angela Rippon told dance partner Kai Widdrington she wanted to be pushed on the Strictly tour.
And he didn't disappoint, lifting her into the air as she performed a spectacular high kick.
The former newsreader, who turned 79 in October while starring in the BBC One show, was seen rehearsing for the tour held up by male dancers Widdrington, Neil Jones and Vito Coppola.
The presenter, who is the oldest celebrity to ever appear on Strictly, was also seen performing a high kick similar to the one that stunned viewers in the last series.
Before the opening night in Birmingham last night, Ms Rippon said: “I said to Kai at the beginning, just challenge me with everything. We've been rehearsing eight to ten hours a day and yesterday we had a twelve-hour day for the entire tour.”
Queen of the High Kick: Angela Rippon is held aloft during rehearsals
Impressive: Ms Rippon told dance partner Kai Widdrington she wanted to be pushed on the Strictly tour. And he didn't disappoint, lifting her into the air as she performed a spectacular high kick
Ms Rippon, the eighth star to be voted off the show, said she prepared for the 30-day tour by taking morning walks. “I've been exercising and stretching every morning for 50 years, so I'll continue to do that,” she said. 'I spent part of my Christmas holidays with my family in Devon. So I would take lovely long morning walks on Dartmoor, breathing in fresh, clean air and going up and down endless hills.'
She revealed she almost lost her voice, but added: “As long as this one [my legs] work, it doesn't matter what happens.'
Meanwhile, Annabel Croft said her three children were concerned about her weight loss after the show. The former tennis star, 57, said: 'You can't keep your weight off on that show, it just burns you up and my family and my kids were like, 'Eat mum!' You have to eat!'
Ms Rippon and Ms Croft will be joined on the tour by winner Ellie Leach and runners-up Bobby Brazier and Layton Williams. The show is judged by Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood.