ANGELA Rippon was forced to pull out of a date on the Strictly Come Dancing live tour after struggling with a “medical precaution”.
Insiders said the BBC presenter missed a performance in Leeds last night to recover and was hoping to return to the stage tonight.
Angela, 80, is paired with pro dancer Kai Widdrington and has been impressing audiences with her routines which include high-kicks and the splits.
A source said: “Angela missed a performance in Leeds on Thursday night because of a medical precaution.
“She has been giving the tour her all but needed to take a break from dancing.
“It’s incredible what Angela can do on the dancefloor but her health is always a priority.
“She was advised to rest and miss a show and then see if she was up to coming back for the final night in Leeds tonight.”
The tour, which also features show champion Ellie Leach, is in Manchester tomorrow.
The stars are booked for two performances in the city tomorrow and two on Sunday before they get a two day break.
Rip Off Britain host Angela wowed when she joined the Strictly line up last year.
She is their oldest ever contestant to take part in the hit BBC show and said the show had helped raise the profile of older people.
Angela said: “One lady tapped me on the shoulder when I was in a supermarket and said something highly poignant.
“We become invisible when you reach our age… she was like me, white haired.
“She went on to say that I think you are going to make some headlines for ‘us’. Thank you for doing it, you are inspirational’.
“So many people have used that word, inspirational.
“The show and my efforts have seen a lot of people tempted to start dancing in their later years and have said that it has given them a new lease of life. I am thrilled if that is the case.”
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