Strictly Come Dancing signs ‘oldest ever contestant’ for star-studded Christmas special

| Freelance Entertainment and SEO Reporter Published November 8, 2026 1:13pm Updated November 8, 2026 1:13pm Angela Rippon could be hitting the dancefloor again (Picture: Metro) Angela Rippon is reportedly set to become Strictly Come Dancing’s oldest contestant when she waltzes onto the show for this year’s Christmas special. The former newsreader, 82, is said to have signed on to the BBC competition’s special festive show. It will make her the oldest contestant to have appeared on Strictly, a title that she first took in 2023 when she appeared on the 21st series of the show. Before then, the record was held by Johnny Ball, who competed aged 74 in 2012. A source told The Sun: ‘Angela is thrilled to have been asked to dance again and cannot wait to find out who she has been paired with. Get personalised updates on Strictly Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. ‘She danced with Kai Widdrington before and would love to perform with him again, but she has to wait and see. The Sun reports Angela Rippon has signed up for the Strictly Christmas special (Credits: Dave Hogan/Hogan Media/Shutterstock) It would make her the oldest contestant to have ever appeared on the show at 82 (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock) ‘Angela was incredible when she first appeared on the show. Who could forget the moment she put her leg above her head?’ Metro reached out to representatives at the BBC, who declined to comment. It was previously revealed that the upcoming Strictly Christmas special will include six previous contestants rather than new stars vying for the top prize. Angela first competed on the show three years ago partnered with Kai Widdrington, and she dazzled viewers with her flexibility and ability to kick her leg above her head. ‘I’ve told my pro partner, Kai [Widdrington], there are things I can do, and things I can’t. I just want to do everything properly. I’ve told him: “Challenge me,”‘ she told Radio Times at the time. She additionally told Hello! Magazine: ‘”The fact that I can do the high kick is because I’m so flexible because I know you’ve got to be fit for the job you’d be doing. The broadcaster wowed audiences when she first appeared on the show in 2023. (Picture: PA) Paired with Kai Widdrington, she dazzled the judges and viewers with her flexibility (Picture: Richard Young/Shutterstock) ‘The most recent thing I’ve done requiring real stamina was when I was doing the Queen’s funeral. I was on the air at 3am on television and I came off at 4:30 in the afternoon, 13 hours, and you can’t do that if you’re not fit.’ She continued: ‘I know people don’t describe people as fit because you’re sitting down. So I mean, I think that’s, you know, very sweet of her [Shirley Ballas] to have said that, but the fact that I can do splits and high kicks is kind of like a party trick, if you do the Rumba or the Cha-Cha-Cha, a really lovely Waltz and Tango that requires you to dance.’ The veteran TV star also opened up about how she feels about ageing, saying it is just a number on a piece of paper. ‘I don’t really think about my age very much. I really don’t,’ she said. ‘It’s a number on a piece of paper. As far as I’m concerned. I have met a lot of older ladies saying, “Oh, we’re so pleased you’re doing this.” ‘I was in Waitrose at the checkout loading up my groceries and the lady next to me in the queue, she said “I just want to say that all of my friends, we say that women of our age and our hair colour we’re very often invisible.” So yeah, so I’m not thinking about my age, I’ve just been thinking about whether I can do the steps.’ Deals of the Day The Orlando holiday deal Disney fans shouldn't miss We're adding this discounted NEOM gift set straight to basket Want an LED face mask for less? This Black Friday deal could save you hundreds This teeth whitening sale could save you up to 64% before Black Friday These Simba Black Friday deals are too good for tired shoppers to ignore Arrow MORE: Strictly star Bethany Antonia reveals how she copes after facing crushing dance-offs Arrow MORE: Cach Mercer is exposing Strictly Come Dancing’s biggest problem Arrow MORE: Strictly’s Ola Jordan ‘accuses ex James of having affair with dancer’ TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.