08 November 2023 , 22:20
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The Strictly Come Dancing team were in tears when they heard Angela Rippon had agreed to appear on the show, Claudia Winkleman revealed.
Veteran TV host Angela, 79, has been a huge hit dancing with Kai Widdrington, 28, despite being in the bottom two on Sunday, and now she has signed up for the show tour.
Presenter Claudia, 51, said: “It’s such an honour that Angela Rippon would say yes, we almost all cried. Annabel Croft is a national treasure. Every single one of the celebrities is great. I love the fact that it spans all ages.”
Strictly host Claudia Winkleman burst into tears when Angela Rippon joined show (BBC)Claudia also told the Strictly Annual that the show is getting close to entering one of her favourite phases. She added: “I also love it when they go to two routines in one week. I don’t know how they do it. That’s always quite tense. I’d be absolutely terrible. I can’t remember what I had for breakfast, let alone where my foot should go.”
She insisted her love for Strictly remains as strong as when she joined the BBC One show in 2014. Claudia and co-star Tess Daly, 54, are firm friends away from the job. She said: “Tess is the loveliest person in the whole world. As well as our amazing pros, I have to mention Dave Arch, the work he and his band and the live singers do is phenomenal.”
Strictly's Molly Rainford and Tyler West fuel romance rumours while on tour
The first three celebrities who will be joining the Live UK tour next year were announced yesterday. Joining Angela is Layton Williams, 29, and Ellie Leach, 22. The tour opens at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on January 19. Layton said: “The tour means more sequins – lots and lots of sequins! I couldn’t think of a better way to end this fab experience.”