Age is no barrier to having a happy life

TV presenter Angela Rippon speaks to Camilla Foster about encouraging people to stay active in later life and the real benefits of dancing

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BELOVED TV presenter and former news anchor Angela Rippon has done it all.

She made history as the first female national newsreader on the BBC's Nine O'Clock News, has fronted a wide range of popular programmes including Antiques Roadshow, Top Gear and Rip Off Britain and, just two years ago, became the oldest contestant ever to compete on Strictly Come Dancing, aged 79.

Now, having celebrated her 81st birthday last Sunday, she has no intention of slowing down.

"The thing that keeps my energy levels flowing is that I do things that I enjoy and I am uniquely privileged that for almost 60 years now, I've been doing a job that I absolutely love, and for whatever reason, I'm still being able to do it," says Angela.

"I am still working in television, interviewing people, presenting things and that keeps my mind alive. It keeps me alive physically, getting up early in the morning, working all day, working on scripts and having to read lots of material."

One thing she never skips is her daily morning stretches.

"If you ever watch a cat get up from sleeping, the first thing they do is stretch and that's what I do," shares Angela.

"I do a series of stretching exercises for 10 to 15 minutes every single morning of my life wherever I am, even in small hotel rooms when I'm filming. I get everything moving, everything working and that's how I start my day. That is my nonnegotiable."

She says that an interview she did in her 20s with Eileen Fowler - a leading figure in movement and exercise in Britain during the 1940s and 50s - continues to inspire her dedication to staying active.