Strictly Come Dancing star refused to let cameras into rehearsals

TV legend Angela Rippon has claimed dancing partner Kai Widdrington did not allow BBC cameras into their rehearsals when she appeared on the show. The 89-year-old wowed viewers on Strictly last year.

The Rip Off Britain host became the eighth dancer to be eliminated from the popular reality dance competition last year and bid an emotional Farwell Blackpool after warming the hearts of the nation. She told the Express how Kai, 29, who she described as a "gentleman" and "lovely man", wanted one of their dances to be a surprise, telling the film crew to get out.

Speaking of the couple’s choice routine, she said: “It wasn't the couple's choice, it was Kai's choice," before adding that he pushed her to her limits. Reflecting on the infamous high kick, she shared Kai sussed out how flexible she was and made her repeatedly do it in front of him.

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Angela continued: “So I did it again and as I kick he caught my foot and he just kept pushing it and it got level to my nose, and he said ‘that'll do’. Angela said: “You have camera crews in filming it. So when we were rehearsing, you would get to that part of the dance at the end and he wouldn't do it. He never, ever wanted it filmed.

Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington during a photocall for the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour
Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington on the show last year. -Credit:PA

“He said no, he kept referring to it as our Easter egg and that would be a surprise," she added. Although it worked as she said that during their dress rehearsal in the run-up to the live show they showed the rest of the cast and crew and blew their minds.

“We did the whole dance and everybody saw me do it for the first time. The reaction from the audience was extraordinary,” she recalled.

Before adding: “I remember we got to the end of it and when I looked up, everybody was on their feet applauding, and I thought, well, at least I've had one standing ovation, so it was hard to keep it a secret, even from the groups.” Angela and Kai grew close and struck up a great partnership.

In an interview earlier this year she told us that “Kai is a gentleman. He's a lovely man and he's a brilliant teacher.”