Angela Rippon

I’d like her to do well and thought her first outing was good although I agree the silver dress was a bit short and tummy revealing and not really flattering, I’m afraid. Then I heard her on the radio encouraging other people her age to dance to keep fit. I wonder how many will injure themselves if they are not as strong and flexible as she is! My husband is her age and likes to believe he is very fit for his age, but he ruptured his Achilles tendon playing badminton with our grandson, resulting in not being able to drive for many months. I think a sensible amount of caution should be taken!

foxie48

So she might injure herself? Anyone can injure themselves at any time, it's called living a life. I ride several times a week, not a plod but a decent competition horse. I broke my wrist and a couple of fingers + damage to my rotator cuff a two years ago when I slipped on some leaves walking down a hill. I'm nearly 75 and the day I stop riding will hopefully be the day I stop breathing. I think Angela is enjoying every minute or her time in "Strictly" and I'd love her to go all the way.

Good for you, Foxie.
Angela is a mature intelligent woman , who is absolutely and totally entitled to make her own decisions, just as she is entitled to cope with the consequences, good or bad.
I really don't understand why anyone should be worried for her, unless one of the consequences is that they might have to look after her if she does suffer an injury. Somewhat unlikely, I think!

Theexwife

I do think that if the OP does not put their opinion in the opening post it can seem that they will wait until seeing the majority's opinion before committing themselves.

It’s called listening to both sides of the argument.

a shame this thread is titled Angela Rippon when there is already a strictly come dancing thread up and running, shame the OP didn't use it for angela.

I now wish I had gone to ballet classes like Angela and I too may have been able to do a high kick instead of struggling to climb over a stile.

I must be the only person in the country that doesn't watch strictly but don;t see why she shouldn;t compete

AGAA4

I now wish I had gone to ballet classes like Angela and I too may have been able to do a high kick instead of struggling to climb over a stile.

No chance of dance lessons when I was a child but I did take tap lessons when I was an adult (in my 40s).
That's when I realised I had no co-ordination whatsoever.

Callistemon21

Baggs

MerylStreep

I don’t like to be instructed to - discuss
If it was a request, ie would you like to discuss, can we discuss, then yes, I would but not - discuss.

Don't be silly, MS. Posing a question and then adding "Discuss" is perfectly normal. Acadmics and teachers do it all the time.

It means discuss in a philosophical way and gransnetters have responded in kind.

Acadmics and teachers do it all the time.

But that is exactly what I thought, it sounds like an instruction from a lecturer!
This is a chat forum not the lecture hall or classroom (although sometimes it does feel like it).

That’s the problem, it took me back to those days and those teachers and academics. I’m not their biggest fan.

Well done her, I wish I was as supple and coordinated. No reason at all why she shouldn't enter the competition. Good luck Angela.

Absolutely Foxie 48. I’ve no intention of becoming sofa shaped in my 70 s

I agree that she was incredibly good for her age. However I thought the reaction of the judges especially Shirley was OTT. Yes she could stretch her leg. But dance? I also thought that Angela had a rather superior attitude towards the other performers. The dancers should be awarded points on their merit not their age.

Agree SkyBird she must be judged as the other competitors are judged not her age

Good for Angela.

SkyBird

I agree that she was incredibly good for her age. However I thought the reaction of the judges especially Shirley was OTT. Yes she could stretch her leg. But dance? I also thought that Angela had a rather superior attitude towards the other performers. The dancers should be awarded points on their merit not their age.

Absolutely, but how do you define merit?
Good, despite their age
or good despite their disability,
or good despite the fact that they’ve had no previous dance training,
or good despite the fact that they’ve spent their lives learning dance routines and postures
IMO it gets more difficult each time.

I hope her partner takes the opportunity to choreograph a recreation of the Morcambe and Wise show we all loved!
She’s kept herself in good nick :-)

She is certainly very fit and attractive but it’s not truly reflective of others her age, due a lot to genes and your health and attitude. Don't think she chooses her clothes on the show as although she’s lovely but she has got a tummy and the dress didn't do her justice.

JaneJudge

I must be the only person in the country that doesn't watch strictly but don;t see why she shouldn;t compete

I’m unusual in my family and friends, I don’t watch either.
I have seen pics of Angela Rippon and I know my family and friends are all rooting for her.
Go foxie48- I had to stop riding after 60 when RA made it difficult. I wish I was as flexible as Angela Rippon.
If Angela wears short frocks and ‘has a tummy’, that in no way detracts from her abilities.

I don't think she'll go far but I'm very happy she entered. Good luck to her. The one who caught my eye was Annabel Croft. Think her competitive instinct may prove to be a great asset.

I think Angela is a terrific example of how you can age but keep fit. Amazing lady.

I so agree with Shelflife ……she may start out energized and ready to take on the challenge irregardless of her age and ability. But honestly, is she being ‘respectful’ to her body that has served her so well up to this point in her life? To say it’s a gruelling regime is an understatement. I admire her for taking on the challenge, but really if she does get injured it will take a long time to heal completely because her bones, her joints, her ligaments etc., have aged accordingly and there’s nothing can change that will alter the healing process! It’s just a fact of life!

don't remember a thread when ann widdecombe done strictly at age 63 back then and not fit

I always liked and admired Angela, but recently I saw her on a chat show that was discussing loneliness in old age. She was very out of touch and superior - ‘they should just ring their friends and go to the pub or to the football, not mope about’ If people have friends, money and the health to go to the pub then they’re probably not going to be lonely! I do wish her luck though. And she does have spectacular legs!

JaneJudge

I must be the only person in the country that doesn't watch strictly but don;t see why she shouldn;t compete

I don’t watch it, not really interested in that type of dancing.
. I may have a look at Angela, though, and see whether her ballet training shows.

Many professional ballet dancers end up with bad arthritis. They aren’t all supple in their seventies!

I find it uncomfortable to watch and slightly embarrassing. Good luck though.

Good for her, the programme doeas include older competitors usually and Angqela doae4s seem to be about the fittest they've had so far. Can't make up my mind if she is hard of hearing or has a "dowager's' hump as she always seems to be leaning forward.