03 February 2024 , 20:13
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Angela Rippon has happily updated fans on her health after suffering a terrifying asthma attack that left her unable to breathe and forced to skip several Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour dates.
The 79-year-old broadcaster wowed Strictly fans last year when she danced and flexed on the ballroom floor. Fans have been able to see her and a number of other Strictly 2023 contestants during the current tour. But earlier this week, Angela was forced to drop out of a number of shows due to health reasons. She has revealed, however, that she is back to health and returning to the stage now that the tour has reached Manchester.
In a lengthy Instagram video, Angela shared details of her health scare and recovery. She told fans: “Hello everyone, I’m afraid I’ve been off the grid for a couple of days because, as some of you may know, I suffered a major medical meltdown at the beginning of the week.
Angela updated fans to let them know she was recovering well (theangelarippon / Instagram)
She stunned TV fans with her flexibility on the BBC show last year (PA)“When we were in Liverpool I managed to pick up an infection which went straight to my chest. It affected my breathing very badly and, as some of you may know, I do suffer from asthma. And on Wednesday evening, when I was about to go on and dance the Cha Cha Cha, I’m afraid the infection triggered a serious asthma attack and when I started to dance, I stopped breathing basically.
"Which was all a bit scary, not just for me, but for Kai as well because I was a bit like a rag doll on the dance floor – sorry Liverpool. And I think Kai wasn’t really quite sure what was happening but, fortunately, we always had paramedics in the arenas when we perform and when I came off they gave me oxygen so I was able to breathe again, and also make the trip to Leeds. But once I got to Leeds, the company doctor was very, very firm. He said that the infection was a lot worse than I thought. I had to have two days bed rest. No dancing. And he put me on a very impressive regime of medication.
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“Well, we’re now in Manchester and I’m very happy to say that I think - I mean, the company has been marvellous. And the pills have certainly worked their magic. I can’t say I’m fighting fit, but I’m certainly dancing fit so I’m ready to start ripping up the dance floor again on the tour, starting right here tonight in Manchester.
“Thank you to everyone for all the wonderful messages of support that you’ve sent me and I think that those lovely messages, and the pills, have really worked their magic. Which means I better go and find Kai. I haven’t seen him for 48 hours. And we’ve got work to do. See you soon.”
She shared the message alongside a written note, stating: “Thanks all for your lovely messages. I thought I’d pop on as some of you who came to Leeds may have noticed I wasn’t able to be on stage with my Strictly castmates. I took a couple of days to rest and now we’re here in Manchester and I’m raring to go!”
This afternoon, Angela was spied leaving the Lowry hotel in Manchester along with other members of the Strictly Live tour. She waved to fans as she left the hotel to prepare to dance on Saturday evening. She was steady on her feet as she wore a pair of dark trousers, a light grey jumper, and a dark grey coat with a fluffy collar. Carrying a backpack, the star looked healthy and in high spirits as she smiled outside.
The Strictly Live tour will see stars from the 2023 season perform on stage in Manchester tonight and again tomorrow before performances move to Nottingham for the 6th, 7th and 8th of the month. The tour then climaxes in London at the O2 Arena from the 9th-11th February.