19 November 2023 , 14:57
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Angela Rippon has spoken of her "magical" Blackpool Tower Ballroom experience in the wake of her being made the favourite to leave Strictly Come Dancing this weekend.
Just hours before the 79-year old took the dancefloor with her professional dance partner, Kai Widdrington on Saturday night, bookmakers installed the pair as odds-on to be voted off by the judges as week nine reaches its conclusion. It comes after the TV newsreader survived the dance-off in the previous two weeks, prompting viewers to accuse the BBC of "fixing it" to keep her in.
Week seven saw Angela ermege victorious at the expense of Adam Thomas, before the veteran broadcaster saw off Krishnan Guru-Murthy seven days later despite a shaky display in front of judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton du Beke. Angela's elimination was listed with odds of 1/2, with Annabel Croft following her at 9/4.
Angela and Kai's Charleston saw them finish in last place on the week nine leaderboard (BBC/Guy Levy)Sam Boswell, spokesperson of BetVictor, predicted yesterday: "In the elimination market, Angela Rippon is the favourite to be the next celebrity eliminated at 1/2. Angela and her dance partner Kai are dancing American Smooth to Tea for Two by Ella Fitzgerald. She has survived both dance-offs, firstly against Adam and last weekend against Krishnan. I think she’s at risk this weekend."
Boswell was certainly right as far as the leaderboard was concerned, with Angela and Kai finishing in last place with a score of 28. Nigel Harman and Katya Jones completed the bottom two, meanwhile, with three points more.
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And last Sunday fans of the show were left baffled as the judges decided on whether to save Angela or Krishan. Despite referring to Krishnan's "magnificent" performance and Angela "nearly losing" a leg, Craig opted with Angela, prompting an outcry of complaints as viewers suggested bosses wanted to keep her on the show for the most prestigious week of the competition.
"Well, Krishnan you really upped your game in that dance off, it was magnificent," Craig said at the time. "Angela you nearly lost your supporting leg darling in the kick but you saved it, miraculously. But the couple that I would like to save and go through to Blackpool is Angela and Kai."
Despite her struggles, however, Angela took to Instagram on Sunday afternoon to express her "joy" to her 30,000 followers. "Blackpool was just as magical as I imagined… and more," she enthused alongside a snap of smiling as Kai lifted her.
She continued: "What a joy to dance at the infamous Blackpool Tower Ballroom, a place with so much significance for dance history and for me personally. Tonight’s results show is on @bbcone at 7:20pm, the large group dance number is spectacular."
Fans were quick to respond to the post, with one commenting: "How wonderful for you after presenting the show years ago you really are a great ambassador for us all no age stops new adventures." Another agreed: "You are an inspiration!!! I loved your American smooth. I am in awe of you every single week and so proud of all you are achieving, phenomenal."
A third added: "So much love and support to you Angela, you’re inspirational and such a joy to watch. So proud of all you have achieved, and you should be proud of yourself too Xxx." And a fourth said: "Bloody hell, Angela, you look like you’re in your 30s in this photo!"