She turned 79 last week, but that didn’t stop the ever-agile Angela Rippon from stealing the show – again – with a Strictly performance that brought the audience to its feet.
The star, who is the show’s oldest ever contestant, left the judges almost speechless with her rumba, in which she performed an impressive backbend and the splits – twice.
Head judge Shirley Ballas told her: ‘I’m in shock. Well done.’
The Rip Off Britain star and her partner Kai Widdrington received 26 points for the dance, their highest score so far.
But while Angela wowed, it was curtains for cyclist Jody Cundy and partner Jowita Przystal, who failed to impress with their salsa.
Flexible! She turned 79 last week, but that didn’t stop the ever-agile Angela Rippon from stealing the Strictly Come Dancing show – again – by doing the splits twice on Saturday (pictured with dance partner Kai Widdrington)
Born to perform: The star, who is the show’s oldest ever contestant, left the judges almost speechless with her rumba
After the judges voted him off, Jody said: ‘When I signed up for this, I thought what on earth am I signing up for… and I absolutely loved every second of it.’
Jody was the third celebrity to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2023 following Sunday’s dreaded dance off.
The Paralympian, who celebrated his 45th birthday on Saturday, left the show alongside professional partner Jowita Przystal after landing at the bottom of the leaderboard with his Salsa.
Jody faced comedian Eddie Kadi in the tense dance off as both stars tried to impress the judges one final time.
First up was the birthday boy who once again performed his routine to Samba de Janeiro by Bellini, before Eddie and partner Karen Hauer danced their American Smooth to Sex Bomb by Tom Jones.
After both couples took to the floor for a second time judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas all opted to save Eddie.
Craig said: ‘For improvement and musicality I would like to save Eddie and Karen.’
While Motsi, who also saved Eddie and Karen, agreed saying: ‘For me it was a very clear decision, one couple was much, much stronger. I would love to save Eddie and Karen.’
Thrown about: Angela performed an impressive backbend and the splits – twice, with head judge Shirley Ballas telling her: ‘I’m in shock. Well done’
All the moves: The Rip Off Britain star and her partner Kai Widdrington received 26 points for the dance, their highest score so far
Anton Du Beke chose to save them too, explaining: ‘Well based on the dance off and the dance off only,’
‘I thought one couple danced very well and one couple had a bit of an off night, there were a couple of mistakes there so I would like to save Eddie and Karen.’
With three votes for Eddie and Karen, it meant they had won the majority vote and would be staying in the competition regardless, however Head Judge Shirley Ballas also said she would have decided to save Eddie and Karen.
Early exit: Jody Cundy (C) was the third celebrity to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2023 following Sunday’s dreaded dance off – pictured with partner Jowita Przystal (R) and host Tess Daly (L)
Bottom two: Jody faced comedian Eddie Kadi (R, with partner Karen Hauer) in the tense dance off as both stars tried to impress the judges one final time
Telling host Tess Daly: ‘I agreed with the Judges I would have saved Eddie and Karen’.
Speaking about his time on the show Jody gushed: ‘You know what, when I signed up for this I thought what an earth am I signing up for and we did that first live show and I absolutely loved every second of it’.
‘And just being able to dance and do something I’ve never done before and get completely out of my comfort zone ,’ before turning to Jowita and praising her as an ‘amazing person’.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One on Saturday at 6.35pm.
Strictly Come Dancing 2023: Who are the couples?
Nigel Harman and Katya Jones
Bobby Brazier and Diane Buswell
Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe
Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima
Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice
Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington
Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Lauren Oakley
Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu
Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola
Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk
Jody Cundy and Jowita Przystał
Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin
Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez
Les Dennis and Nancy Xu
Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2023: WHO ARE THE CONTESTANTS?
Angela Rippon
Age: 78
Profession: Journalist
Angela says: ‘Having been a fan of Strictly since day one, and as a former presenter of Come Dancing, this will be quite an adventure for me. A scary one, considering I’m about to be 79. But I’m looking forward to the challenge, and perhaps being able to learn to dance the Argentine Tango.’
Amanda Abbington
Age: 49
Profession: Actress
Amanda says: ‘I’m thrilled to have been asked to do Strictly. I’m actually really shy and self-conscious so this will be a great opportunity for me to overcome those things.’
Layton Williams
Age: 28
Profession: Actor
Layton says: ‘Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK! It’s time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!’
Krishnan Guru-Murthy
Age: 53
Profession: Journalist
Krishnan says: ‘I’m surprised, delighted and slightly confused to find myself taking part in Strictly on the basis of ‘You only live once!’ I can’t wait to start learning to dance, but I am slightly worried about my general decrepitude.’
Eddie Kadi
Age: 40
Profession: Comedian and radio presenter
Eddie says: ‘WOW. Anyone who knows me, understands that music and dance is so important and central to who I am. I’m so unbelievably proud and honoured that Strictly and the BBC have asked me to join the 2023 Team. I promise you, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. This is going to be a VIBE.
Angela Scanlon
Age: 39
Profession: TV presenter
Angela says: ‘I’m not particularly fit, I’ve no idea how my pelvic floor is going to react to this dancing. I’ve never done any dances apart from drunken jiving at a wedding!’
Zara McDermott
Age: 26
Profession: Documentary maker and former Love Island star
Zara says: ‘I am so excited to be joining the world of Strictly! I grew up watching it every year with my nan and she was the biggest Strictly fan. We would dance around the house and I have such fond memories of that time in my life.’
Adam Thomas
Age: 34
Profession: Actor and presenter
Adam says: ‘I can’t dance to save my life but I’m buzzing to learn and have a good laugh with my pro. Get me on that dance floor…I can’t wait!’
Ellie Leach
Age: 22
Profession: Coronation Street star
Ellie says: ‘It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be doing Strictly!! It’s always been a dream of mine so I guess dreams really do come true!!!!’
Bobby Brazier
Age: 20
Profession: EastEnders star and model
Bobby says: ‘I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly line up, I can’t wait to start training like a professional dancer and adding a few moves to my locker. I’m looking forward to performing in-front of everyone.’
Nigel Harman
Age: 49
Profession: Actor
Nigel says: ‘I’m amazed, excited, and terrified to be doing Strictly. As an armchair fan of the show I have watched in awe as people have twirled and gyrated across the screen. And now it’s my turn…..gulp!’
Annabel Croft
Age: 57
Profession: Broadcaster and ex tennis player
Annabel says: ‘I have always loved watching Strictly and can’t quite believe I’m going to be part of this magical show – swapping tennis balls for glitter balls and looking forward to finding some joyfulness in the process.’
