Strictly Come Dancing star Angela Rippon praised one of the show's real-life couples as she became the latest celebrity to be axed from the competition. The veteran broadcaster achieved a "full circle" moment on Saturday night, November 18, as she performed in Blackpool.

As is the show's annual tradition, the cast and crew left their usual Elstree studio to perform in the seaside town's iconic Tower Ballroom. It marked a return to Blackpool for Angela after her years hosting Come Dancing, the classic inter-regional amateur dance contest that inspired Strictly Come Dancing.

Taking to the floor, Angela and her professional dance partner Kai Widdrington performed an American Smooth to Tea for Two by Ella Fitzgerald. Anton Du Beke described the routine as "elegant" while Craig Revel Horwood said the dance "could've been smoother" He added: "There was a fumble in the breakout section."

Motsi agreed "there was a stumble" but praised Angela's "story." And head judge Shirley also didn't seem to mind the mistake as she added: "Yes there was one little hiccup but you can be so proud of yourself."

But the performance saw Angela land in the dreaded dance-off for a third week in a row during Sunday night's results show, November 19. The 79-year-old and Kai lost out to soap star Bobby Brazier following a dance-off.

Angela and Kai reprised their American smooth while 20-year-old EastEnders actor Bobby and his professional dance partner Dianne Buswell jived to Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham! before the judges unanimously voted to save Bobby and Dianne.

Asked about her time on the show by presenter Tess Daly, Angela said: "I have to tell you that the last nine weeks have probably been the most terrifying, the most fantastic, the most glorious, the most joyful that I have spent for a very long time in my profession. "I have had the time of my life, people keep making reference to the fact that I presented Come Dancing, but that was 40 years ago, that was a different time!

"He (Kai) wasn't even born then! But, actually, being this side of the competition, this side of the programme, has been really an eye-opener for me in so many different ways. Everybody talks about the team and all the pros - everyone who has danced - there is a real team spirit in this programme unlike anything I've come across anywhere else in any of the many programmes I've done. It's absolutely fabulous.

"They support us, they encourage us all the time - it's absolutely wonderful. But the person who really has to get the most credit is this gentleman here (Kai). He's an old soul on young shoulders. He's 28 and I'm 79, there's a 51-year difference in our ages. He has looked after me so brilliantly, he's a wonderful dancer, a great choreographer, but he's a terrific teacher ... and he has the patience of a saint!"

It is when speaking to Kai that Angela mentioned his co-star girlfriend as she added: "All I can say is that you've got me here, so don't you dare cry! He and his partner, Nadiya [Bychkova - another Strictly pro], are in every sense of the word beautiful people and I am so pleased to have you in my life."

Kai, 28, said: "Since week one when I met this amazing woman - as she said, I wasn't even born when she did Come Dancing - I had to ask my parents about the amazing Morecombe and Wise moment that was so famous, and about Come Dancing. Like Angela just said, there's a 50-year age gap between us, but we're like mates!"

Speaking to Angela, he added: "I'm so proud of you and you should be proud of yourself, it's been my absolute honour and pleasure to dance with you especially in this beautiful ballroom."

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