Kaye Adams lauded Strictly Come Dancing for casting older superstars in the 2023 season.
At 60, the Loose Women star was the show’s oldest competitor last year. She was matched with Kai Widdrington, who, according to popular belief, would be paired with Layton Williams in a few weeks, however she quit after the first dance-off.
Angela Rippon, 78, is Strictly’s oldest-ever contender this year, as is Les Dennis, 69.
Kaye described the addition of older participants as a “very wonderful” decision, noting that age is sometimes disregarded when discussing representation.
‘I do think it’s a really positive thing and I’m glad that they’ve done it. Representation is a very important issue and I think sometimes people overlook age when they’re thinking about representation and inclusivity,’ she explained.
‘The whole thing about Strictly is that it’s the ultimate family show, so it’s important that it reflects the whole family,’ a ‘delighted’ Kaye told The Mirror.
The host went on to say that casting people with impairments and from diverse backgrounds was crucial.
Kaye also revealed she felt huge ‘pressure’ as the oldest contestant, and was ‘self-conscious’.
‘This year with the average age being higher than it’s been for a while, there will be no need for anyone to feel that way,’ she said hopefully.
Kaye already has big expectations for Angela and joked: ‘It’s not that age means you are necessarily going to be worst. I was only the worst because I’m a c**p dancer!’
Angela also has a fan in head judge Shirley Ballas, 62, who believes she has an unexpected secret weapon in her armoury that will help her earn the public’s favour during the forthcoming fall season.
‘She can do the splits, you know?’, the professional dancer exclusively offered during a chat with Metro.co.uk.
Shirley paused in her professional reflection to share an endearing tale about her years-ago encounter with flexible Angela.
She explained: ‘I’m doing a bit of fangirling. I’ve got Angela Rippen who was the host in the 1991 United Kingdom Championships at the BIC centre in Bournemouth when I danced – I made final that year – so I’m fangirling over her.
‘If her dancing is as elegant as the way she stands and talks, then we’re in for a real treat.’
Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC later this year.
Source My Celebrity Life.
