'My mission to show older people can defy expectations'

Says Strictly's oldest-ever star Angela Rippon as show's huge arena tour kicks off today

- Kat Hopps

ANGELA RIPPON says she's on a mission to persuade older people to keep fit, active and strong and prove they can still break boundaries as the Strictly Come Dancing live tour high-kicks off today.

The former newsreader, 79, revealed: "Even before I started on the show, a lady stopped me in the supermarket and said, I'm so pleased you're doing Strictly because women of our age and our hair colour are invisible and you're going to make headlines for us.' And subsequently, of course, I did.

"I went into Strictly thinking I'd be very happy to last a couple of weeks, so making it to week nine was a fantastic bonus. If I can persuade people that dancing or exercise is something that you should be doing later in life to keep you fit and strong and supple and healthy generally, that will be my Glitterball." After more than 10 million viewers tuned into the Series 21 finale at Christmas, celebrities and their professional partners will now be twirling their way around the UK for 30 performances across nine huge venues. Kicking off at Birmingham's Utilita Arena tonight, and climaxing with five performances at The 02 in London next month, the arena tour will be hosted by former Strictly Come Dancing stalwart and It Takes Two co-presenter Janette Manrara.

Routines

Judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood - who is also directing - will be presiding over the proceedings, dishing out advice, good-natured critiques and, the contestants will be hoping, some of those coveted perfect tens.

Reigning champs Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola will be recreating their American Smooth and Paso Doble routines, and Ellie is still basking in the glory of coming first.