Angela Rippon, 78, is set to become Strictly's oldest ever contestant

Angela Rippon, 78, is set to become Strictly’s oldest ever contestant as bosses sign up the legendary newsreader for the next season of the hit BBC1 show – 25 years after she hosted the original Come Dancing

She hosted dozens of episodes of the original Come Dancing, long before its glitzy Strictly makeover.

Now, 25 years on, Angela Rippon has been signed up to compete in the hit BBC1 show – and at the age of 78, will be its oldest ever contestant.

Her appearance will come 47 years after she stunned the 27 million viewers of Morecambe and Wise’s 1976 Christmas special by emerging from her newsreader’s desk to perform a high-kicking dance routine, in an era when journalists never ventured into light entertainment.

Ms Rippon has been in discussions with the programme’s bosses for several weeks but The Mail on Sunday can reveal that in the past days, both parties have agreed terms.

A source close to the show said: ‘It is such a coup to get Angela. She was Mrs Come Dancing, so what a wonderful thing that she is going to be on Strictly all these years later.

 Angela Rippon, 78, is set to become Strictly’s oldest ever contestant and will appear 25 years after presenting the original series of the hit BBC1 show

The former newsreader hosted Come Dancing between 1988 and 1991, before returning in 1998 when the show ended for good

High kicks: Angela Rippon shows off impressive dance moves at the Royal Variety Show in 1982 

‘She is the dream signing. The audience at home will love her, and many of them will remember her from her days hosting the show in its previous incarnation. 

‘It is incredible that someone of her age is doing it but she loves dancing and the bosses think that she will be a joy to watch.’

Ms Rippon recreated her Morecambe and Wise routine for Children In Need back in 2011, and last year she appeared on Strictly as part of the BBC’s 100th birthday celebrations.

The former newsreader hosted Come Dancing between 1988 and 1991, before returning in 1998 when the show ended for good.

Until now, comedian Johnny Ball was the oldest celebrity to appear on Strictly, being 74 when he took part in 2021. 

The late Paul Daniels was 72 when he appeared in 2010, while former Birds Of A Feather actress Lesley Joseph was 71 when she competed in 2019.

Ms Rippon will join BBC presenter Angela Scanlon, actor Nigel Harman and former Love Island contestant Zara McDermott on this year’s series. 

Also tipped to appear are Bobby Brazier, son of the late Big Brother star Jade Goody, and actor Adam Thomas, who stars in BBC One drama Waterloo Road.

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