Angela Rippon is the ninth celebrity to exit Strictly Come Dancing 2023, following a fantastic journey all the way to Blackpool.
The TV veteran exited the competition after finishing last with her partner Kai Widdrington on the strength of their beautiful American Smooth, which received a score of 28.
Angela, 79, posted a brief video about her ‘experience’ during the milestone week, which saw viewers angry when judge Craig Revel Horwood refused to dole down his 10 paddle yet again.
Top picks for the week Thanks to Craig, Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin, as well as Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola, each got 39 out of 40 for their individual dances.
However, one couple did have to go, as Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell survived the dance off with their Jive, which had put them third on Saturday night.
Writing on X (Twitter), Angela said: ‘Well, what an adventure it has been. I’m not sure I have the words quite yet to describe just how incredible Strictly is but I am so proud to have made it to Blackpool week. Thank you all so much for your kind messages, comments and support over the past couple of months.
She added: ‘I have to admit that appearing on that program has been one of the most challenging, one of the most terrifying but also joyful experiences of my entire professional life.
‘And so much of me being able to do it, is down to so many of you. I just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you so much to all of you for your encouragement, the kind comments sent to myself and to my partner, Kai Widdrington.’
After thanking people for voting for the dancing duo she called Kai the ‘most perfect partner’.
‘He’s such a wonderful guy, great dancer, terrific choreographer, has the patience of a saint and is a wonderful teacher,’ she gushed.
Last night’s episode saw the last seven couples doing some of their most breathtaking dances to yet during the BBC competition’s milestone week.
The judges decided who would stay and who would leave after they performed their routines a second time at Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom.
Craig said that he would be saving Bobby and Dianne, describing their dance as a ‘standout performance’ that he ‘can’t ignore’.
Motsi Mabuse voted the same way, stating: ‘I felt that both couples danced so beautifully. Really one of the most beautiful dance offs we have had.’
Bobby and Dianne won a third vote from Anton Du Beke, who believed they danced “excellently” in “a marvellous dance off.”
‘I thought that Angela and Kai’s dance was beautiful and Angela even thanked one of the other dancers for lifting her and putting her down so gracefully which I thought was absolutely beautiful. For me the couple I would like to save are Bobby and Dianne,’ he said.
While the three votes decided Angela and Kai’s fate, head judge Shirley Ballas said that she would have voted the same way.
‘I have to tell you that the previous nine weeks have probably been the most scary, the most magnificent, the most glorious, the most joyous that I have spent for a very long time in my job,’ Angela told co-host Tess Daly after her eviction.
‘I have had the time of my life, people keep making reference to the fact that I presented Come Dancing, but that was 40 years ago, that was a different time! He [Kai] wasn’t even born then!’
Angela explained that being on ‘this side of the competition’ has ‘been really an eye opener for me in many different ways’.
‘Everybody talks about the team and all the pros – everyone who has danced – there is a real team spirit in this programme unlike anything I’ve come across anywhere else in any of the many programmes I’ve done. It’s absolutely fabulous.
‘They support us, they encourage us all the time – it’s absolutely wonderful. But the person who really has to get the most credit is this gentleman here [to Kai].’
Angela described Kai as a “old soul,” referring to their 51-year age gap.
‘He has looked after me so brilliantly, he’s a wonderful dancer, a great choreographer, but he’s a terrific teacher… and he has the patience of a saint!
‘All I can say is that you’ve got me here so don’t you dare cry! He and his partner, Nadiya, are in every sense of the word beautiful people and I am so pleased to have you in my life.’
Kai lavished admiration on Angela as well, claiming they’ve become’mates’ and recalled how he questioned his parents about her famous Morecambe and Wise scene.
‘Dancing with you the whole way through this competition has just been such a celebration of yourself and her life and I wish she could see me now. I’m so proud of you and you should be proud of yourself, it’s been my absolute honour and pleasure to dance with you especially in this beautiful ballroom,’ he said.
Strictly returns on Saturday at 7.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Source My Celebrity Life.