I do wonder what if I had become a dancer 60 years ago? Well, I'm doing it now!

ANGELA RIPPON: My joy at going on tour & inspiring others to get active

-  MARK JEFFERIES

Angela Rippon says Strictly has "scratched that itch" she had to be a dancer, while also proving that age should not be a barrier to following your dreams.

Rather than taking a rest after a busy end to 2023, the 79-year-old has been in rehearsals this month and is going out on the road with the hit BBC show.

Ahead of the start of the Strictly tour the TV presenter said: "I suppose the thing I'm looking forward to most is the fact that I can keep dancing.

"I stopped going to dance classes when I was 17. I stopped because I had to knuckle down to my exams. I've only done sort of party tricks since.

"Doing Strictly for five months reawakened in me how much I love to dance. And to have the chance to do something I haven't done for 60 years I've just enjoyed so much.

"When they invited me on tour, thought, 'If I can go on dancing for a few more weeks, that's what I'm going to do "There's a stereotype that when you get to my age you just stop... and that couldn't be further from the truth.

"I've had people stop me in the street and say, 'You've inspired me. I'm taking up Pilates now'. Or, 'My wife and I are going to do ballroom lessons every week. The fact that doing what I'm doing has inspired others to think they can try something new, that's great."