Strictly Come Dancing star refused to let cameras into rehearsals

Angela Rippon recalled her time on Strictly Come Daning and claimed that partner Kai Widdrington did not allow BBC cameras into their rehearsal studio. The 89-year-old took the competition by a storm last and proved age is just a number after wowing audience members each week.

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. However, she exclusively chatted with the Express and told us Kai, 29, wanted one of their dances to be a surprise telling the film crew to get out.

Speaking of the couple’s choice routine, she shared: “It wasn't the couple's choice, it was Kai's choice.” Before adding that he pushed her to her limits.

Speaking of the infamous high kick, she shared Kai sussed out how flexible she was and made her repeatedly do it in front of him. Angela confessed: “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’.

Throughout the series Kai had a rule that the camera team had to leave once Angela had mastered a poignant moment in the routine. He did not want them to capture it and show viewers ahead of their debut on the ballroom floor.

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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.

“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 claimed.

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.”

This comes after fans were devastated to learn that the firm favourite will not be given a celebrity partner for the 2024 series that kicks off this weekend.

In 2022 he was been paired with Loose Women presenter Kaye Adams and the year before, radio presenter AJ Odudu.

Meanwhile, Kai recently announced that he had split with his wife and professional dance partner Nadiya Bychkova.