For Angela Rippon, the life she once envisioned was never about becoming a star. As a young girl, inspired by her father's photographs from the Second World War, she dreamed of becoming a photojournalist—ironically, firmly positioned behind the camera rather than in front of it. But as she now happily attests, life does not always unfold as one might expect.
Today, at 81, the former veteran BBC news presenter is a bona fide national treasure, poised to celebrate 60 golden years on the small screen. She is renowned for her deft handling of the nation's gravest news events, as well as her appearances on Antiques Roadshow, Top Gear, and as a be-sequinned, agile-footed contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. She is, understandably, stunned that the television career she stumbled into 'completely by chance' has sustained her for so long.
A Milestone Celebration
A special dinner will mark the milestone on September 5—the date in 1966 when she first appeared as a reporter on BBC South West. This has become a tradition for her, celebrating each decade of work. 'After 21 years, I thought, "Crikey, I'm still here", so I organised a dinner for the people involved in my career at that time,' she explains in an exclusive interview. 'When it got to 30 years, I thought, "Flipping heck! I'm still here." I did it again at 40 years, and then again at 50. What I've tried to do—and it's grown over the years—is to thank those who have helped me along the way.'
'Sadly, some of my contemporaries are no longer with us. I've not only outworked them, I've outlived them. I'm very privileged to do the job I do. It's just a way of saying thank you for giving me the opportunity to do a job I absolutely love.'
Pioneering for Women
Angela forged a path for female newsreaders who followed her, proving that age was no barrier for women on television. In 1975, she became the first permanent female broadcaster to regularly read the BBC's flagship Nine O'Clock News during an era when the only other women in the newsroom were secretaries. When she turned 50 in 1994, the then-director of the BBC, John Birt, effectively told her that her time on screen was up. Not only has she enjoyed proving him wrong, but she has delighted in watching other women continue to have TV careers long past their 30s.
'He said to me, "Angela, you've had your day, it's time to make way for the young women coming up behind you." Those young women coming up behind me are still there. They are now in their 50s or 60s and working, which is fantastic. You have women who are camera operators, sound operators, editors, producers, directors, behind the camera, in front of the camera, and on radio. You have brilliant women now who are correspondents, sports presenters—it's a natural progression of the fact that women are good at what they do. And when they're good, they get recognition for it. That's why we now have some terrific women of all ages working alongside men of all ages.'
Personal Life and Happiness
Alongside these changes came shifts in Angela's personal life. She split from her engineer husband, Christopher Dare, in 1989 after a 22-year marriage, and has previously said her public-facing role was partly to blame. She has had several relationships since—keeping details under wraps—but these days she is 'happily single' and no longer seeking romance. Although she and Christopher had no children, she has a full social life and is close to her godchildren.
'I'm very fortunate that I have a wonderful circle of really good friends here in London and in Devon, where my family home is. I'm never alone because there's always somebody either on the end of the phone or sitting opposite me having brunch or dinner or going to the theatre. So I don't even think about it. I just live a fulfilled life. I do a job that I love and I have a wonderful circle of friends who are really important to me. My friends are my extended family.'
Strictly Come Dancing and New Ventures
One person who will no doubt attend her celebratory dinner in September is her Strictly Come Dancing partner, Kai Widdrington. Appearing on the show in 2023 as its oldest-ever contestant at 79 was a 'full circle' moment for Angela, having hosted Come Dancing, the precursor to Strictly, for three years from 1988. It allowed her to showcase the dancing skills she honed during childhood lessons to correct her 'knocked knees'. The first time she famously performed a high kick on the Morecambe and Wise Christmas special in 1976, watched by some 27 million viewers. She repeated the move on Strictly, 47 years on, proving that age is just a number.
'Strictly was an absolute joy to work on and I was really fortunate. I have the most wonderful friend out of it because Kai was the most brilliant partner. There's a 51-year age gap between us, but we regularly meet up and go for dinner.'
When asked who should replace outgoing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, Angela surprisingly suggests Anton Du Beke. 'I would actually love to see Anton in that role. I know he loves being a judge, but I think he would be a super presenter. There's a lot of change going on within the programme, and it would just be a line of continuity. He can sing, dance, be funny, be serious, he knows what he's talking about. He can tick all those boxes. And the audience would approve of him, too.'
Staying Fit and Active
The training for Strictly is renowned for being physically tough, but Angela has always been in good shape. Every morning she does 'ten to 15 minutes' of stretching and exercise, and she plays tennis and attends ballet and dance classes when work allows. She was inspired by Eileen Fowler, the Jane Fonda of the post-war years, whom she interviewed early in her career. 'She was in her 60s and I was in my 20s, and she was bouncing around full of energy. She said, "What you have to remember is that the body is a machine. And like any machine, it has millions of moving parts. If you don't keep those moving parts moving, and oiled and working, they will seize up. That's true of a pair of scissors, a lawnmower, a car, whatever, and the same thing will happen to your body." That was great advice. I am not as fit as when I was in my 30s or 20s, obviously—my body has aged. But I've done the best I can to keep it working.'
New Show: Angela Rippon's River Cruises
Perhaps thanks to her well-maintained machine, she is still working. At 81, she remains so popular with viewers that she has landed a new Channel 5 travel show, Angela Rippon's River Cruises. It will see her travel along the Danube through Hungary, Austria, and Germany, before switching continents to Asia to glide down the Mekong, taking in Vietnam and Cambodia. 'Isn't it fantastic?' she says. 'And I do love to travel, so for this to come out of the blue was just absolutely brilliant. What a wonderful opportunity to get the chance to do something like this. I don't think my age is that important, really. I'm still working and still doing stuff. It's just a continuation of what I've been doing for the last 60 years.'
Angela Rippon's River Cruises starts next Saturday at 8pm on Channel 5.
