Angela Rippon reveals her ‘secret mission’ before turning 80

Legendary broadcaster Angela Rippon is a true trailblazer. Becoming the first woman to permanently anchor the BBC national news in 1975, the 79-year-old paved the way for female newsreaders.

An award-winning journalist, TV presenter, newsreader and author, her illustrious career began in 1966 on BBC Plymouth. And she has since worked on countless radio and TV shows, with a CV that spans everything from Antiques Roadshow to The Wall with Danny Dyer. Angela’s career has always effortlessly combined serious broadcasting with glitzy showbiz. Who can forget her high-kicking from behind a news desk and dancing with Ernie in the iconic 1976 Morecambe And Wise Show Christmas special?

Forty-seven years later, she was at it again on Strictly Come Dancing, strutting her way to week nine with professional partner Kai Widdrington last year. The show’s oldest-ever competitor, she showed age is no barrier to being fit and fabulous. Egged on by “great mate” Kai, she went on to join the Strictly Live Tour, performing in front of packed-out arenas in nine UK cities.

“The adrenaline rush of walking into 12,000 people clapping and cheering is just extraordinary. It’s the closest thing to being a rock star,” she beams when we catch up with her for a chat. This October, the Devon-born star will celebrate her 80th birthday and Angela reveals she has a secret mission to “do something worthwhile” to mark it. She says: “I’m still formulating it in my mind and working out when I’d be able to do it. But I’ve got a plan. It would be a lovely way of marking the fact I’d reached 80.” Surely she’ll be celebrating with a showbiz party, too? “I said when I was 60 that was my last big party – probably because I didn’t think I’d ever get to 80,” she laughs. “But as I have, I’ll mark it with a party.”

Alongside her secret personal plot, Angela says she’s on a mission to get the whole nation dancing. Angela says:“Lots of people have told me I’ve inspired them, showing what’s possible at my age – I have taxi drivers say, ‘The wife and I have decided we’re going ballroom dancing now’ – and I want to use that momentum to make it easier for everyone to access dance classes.”

She adds: “I’m an ambassador for Silver Swans, the Royal Academy of Dance’s programme to get people over 50 to dance. Now I’m reaching out to dance schools nationwide to get as many as possible to offer classes for all ages. Whether it’s line dancing, Highland dancing, or the cha-cha-cha, I think it’ll make a difference.” Angela, who was Chair of the English National Ballet for four years, says her conviction is backed up by scientific research.

“I did a series called How To Stay Young. We went to Germany to see a scientific experiment about what kind of exercise is best for the over-sixties. They found dance is best overall for mind and body… dancing uses all your muscles and keeps your brain active. And for any older people feeling lonely or isolated – you’ll never feel like that in a dance class.You make friends, you’re releasing endorphins,” she continues.

So, after nearly 60 years on our screens, how does Angela keep her own boundless energy topped up? “My job isn’t like digging a trench, I’d never claim that,” she laughs. “But I’m on my feet for 12 hours a day. Luckily I’ve kept fit all my life. It’s part of my daily routine.I stretch every morning, I play tennis, I do Pilates and I go to ballet classes. And all that dancing over the last several months has made me even fitter than I was before.”

That said, even Angela isn’t invincible. She recently had a terrifying health scare, finding she couldn’t breathe mid-way through the cha-cha-cha during the Strictly Live Tour. As an asthma sufferer, she suffered a serious attack on the last night in Liverpool. “Literally 30 seconds into it, I couldn’t breathe,” she recalls. “Afterwards I said to Kai, I bet you thought, ‘Oh, the old girl’s forgotten the steps.’ Doctors put me on antibiotics and steroids and I didn’t leave the hotel room for two days. It was incredibly frustrating. I was so cross!”

Angela bounced back and finished the tour, ending with a wrap party at the London Hilton on Park Lane, among pals including “dear friend” and fellow newsreader Moira Stewart, and Lulu. But it’s not all glitz and glamour. Back in January she returned to our screens tackling tough issues on the latest series of Rip-Off Britain. The consumer show, which she co-hosts with long-time mates Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville, aka “Glo and Jules”, often deals with the issue of scammers. And in characteristic form, Angela is quick to quash stereotypes about elderly targets being more vulnerable.

“Silver surfers and the elderly are pretty smart, so we should stop making that generalisation,” she says. “We found young people who live on their phones are just as likely to be scammed.” Another topic on the show is the cost of living crisis, an issue Angela cares deeply about. So much so, she’s joined forces with Energy GB to encourage people, particularly the over-seventies, to switch to a smart meter.

“A smart meter gives you back some control,” she explains. “You get an In-Home Display unit connected to the meter, so you can see when you switch on lights or boil a kettle how much it’s costing. Your energy levels are sent automatically to your supplier and you don’t have to go out to top it up, which can be difficult for older people with mobility problems. You can do it from your mobile or landline.”

It’s just one of many causes close to this passionate journalist’s heart. Another is Support Dogs, a charity she’s been Honorary President of for over 20 years. “I’m in awe of our dogs at work, such as seizure alert dogs who can give a 30-minute warning of an attack. This transforms the lives of people with epilepsy. And more recently the work we do with autistic children is exceptional. It gives parents peace of mind that their child has a calming and protective influence in their lives,” she adds.

“Dogs have always been important to Angela. “They’ve been in my life since I was five. My first dog was a mongrel called Rufus,” she says. “When I retire I’d love to rescue a mature dog – I just travel too much for now.” We get the feeling retirement is a long way off for this workaholic. Any chance turning 80 means she’ll put her feet up? “Oh no! I’m having too much fun.” Angela Rippon has partnered with Smart Energy GB to show households how a smart meter could help keep better track of their energy bills.