A star of Strictly Come Dancing has been forced to pull out of the UK live tour due to medical issues.
The BBC’s shows star, Angela Rippon was patterned with professional dancer Kai Widdrington during her time on the 2023 edition of the show and became Strictly’s oldest contestant.
Rippon, who also hosts Rip Off Britain, became the eighth dancer to be eliminated from the BBC show leaving in Blackpool week.
Following Strictly Come Dancing 2023, the celebrities headed out on the UK-wide live tour, including Rippon along with Annabel Croft, Bobby Brazier and the winner Ellie Leach.
However, while preparing for the show in Leeds, Rippon was forced to pull out of the tour.
I am speechless! We’ve just arrived at @UtilitaArenaBHM. It is HUGE!
— Angela Rippon (@TheAngelaRippon) January 16, 2024
I can’t quite believe we’re about to embark on a whole arena tour, it’s just hitting home. Bring it on! pic.twitter.com/X4v1E9ob61
Angela Rippon forced to pull out of UK Strictly Tour
Talking to The Sun newspaper, a source said: “She has been giving the tour her all but needed to take a break from dancing.
“It's incredible what Angela can do on the dancefloor but her health is always a priority'. 'She was advised to rest and miss a show and then see if she was up to coming back for the final night in Leeds tonight."
Ahead of the tour, Rippon had shared with The Mirror that she was excited to dance on stage again, saying: “When they invited me on tour, I thought, ‘If I can go on dancing for a few more weeks, that’s what I’m going to do’.
“There’s a stereotype that when you get to my age you just stop... and that couldn’t be further from the truth."
The BBC star added: “I'll be keeping up my cryotherapy which I started during the series. Neil and I are very keen cryotherapy advocates. He’s located as many [cryotherapy venues] as he can in the cities we’re going to... That and retail therapy will keep me going.
“I found during the show that the more cryotherapy I did the less I needed to rely on ibuprofen and Voltarol. It really does keep the aches and pains at bay.”
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