Strictly Come Dancing's Angela Rippon, 79, gives health update after 'major medical meltdown' forced her to withdraw from show tour on doctor's orders

Angela Rippon has announced she will return to the Strictly Come Dancing tour after suffering a 'severe asthma attack' which caused her to stop breathing.

In an Instagram post on Saturday, the 79-year-old veteran broadcaster said she had been dancing on stage in Liverpool on Wednesday night when she suffered the 'major medical meltdown'.

After being treated by paramedics at the scene, she explained that she could breathe again, but the doctor prescribed two days of bed rest, forcing her to miss shows in Leeds.

Angela confirmed she is feeling 'dance fit' again and will perform at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday evening with her dance partner Kai Widdrington.

In a video post on social media she said: 'Hello everyone, I'm afraid I've been off the grid for a few days because as some of you may know I had a major medical crisis at the beginning of the month . the week.

In an Instagram post on Saturday, the veteran broadcaster said she had been dancing on stage in Liverpool on Wednesday night when she suffered the 'major medical meltdown' (pictured last month with her professional dance partner Kai Widdrington)

'While we were in Liverpool I got an infection that went straight to my chest.

'It affected my breathing very badly and, as some of you may know, I suffer from asthma.

'And on Wednesday night, when I was about to dance the Cha Cha Cha, I'm afraid the infection caused a severe asthma attack and when I started dancing I practically stopped breathing.

'That was all a bit scary, not just for me but for Kai too, because I looked a bit like a rag doll on the dance floor – sorry Liverpool.

“And I think Kai wasn't quite sure what was going on, but luckily we always had paramedics in the arenas when we performed and when I came out they gave me oxygen so I could breathe again and also make the trip make it to Leeds.'

She explained that once she arrived in Leeds, the company doctor told her the infection was 'much worse' than she had initially thought, asked for her rest and prescribed 'a very impressive medication regime'.

After the treatment she is back on her feet and adds: 'I can't say I'm fighting fit, but I'm definitely dancing fit, so I'm ready to get back on the dance floor on tour, starting here tonight in Manchester.'

The broadcaster also thanked everyone who sent her 'wonderful messages' and noted that she feels the support and medication have 'worked their magic'.

The broadcaster, who made history last year as the competition's oldest participant at the age of 79, missed performances this week after struggling with a 'medical issue' (pictured on Strictly in September)

During last year's Strictly, Angela impressed viewers with her flexibility and made it to the Blackpool Tower Ballroom special in November before being eliminated after a dance-off with actor Bobby Brazier.

The Strictly tour kicked off on January 19 at Birmingham's Utilita Arena before moving to Sheffield, Newcastle, Glasgow and Liverpool and Leeds. Two shows are scheduled for Manchester's AO Arena on Saturday and Sunday this week before moving on to Nottingham for three shows – with a final five at London's O2 Arena.

Also performing are Strictly Come Dancing winner Ellie Leach and her partner Vito Coppola, as well as finalists Layton Williams and Bobby. News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Irish TV presenter Angela Scanlon and former tennis star Annabel Croft are also part of the line-up.

At the end of each show, the audience will vote to decide who wins the coveted glitterball trophy.

Angela previously hosted Come Dancing on BBC One (pictured on the show in 1988)