BBC star Angela Rippon can still do the splits and high kicks – at the age of 77

Telly legend Angela Rippon has revealed that she still starts each day with her famous Morecambe and Wise dance routine.

The Rip Off Britain host, 77, wowed viewers when she teamed up with the comedy duo for their 1976 Christmas special.

And Angela says: “I can still do the splits and high-kick because I do it every day as part of my Pilates stretching wake-up routine.

“When I’m able to, I still go to ­ballet classes. Dance is very good for ­getting the right kind of exercise for your mind and body as you get older.

“It keeps you fit, it’s aerobic and keeps you supple. It does wonders for your posture – and it’s very sociable.”

Eric and Ernie are still gracing screens today, with a “lost” episode airing last Christmas.

And star Angela reckons they remain popular because they didn’t need to resort to crude humour to make people laugh.

“They produced a kind of humour that is ageless,” she says.

“Their material survives because they were funny. They weren’t smutty, crude, unkind or cruel.

“They were huge – and I was a huge fan – so to be asked to be on their programme was lovely and very flattering.

“A hundred years from now people will still laugh at the famous scene in the kitchen with the eggs and the toast.

“I was on a train and a gentleman leaned across and said, ‘I want to tell you that not only do my wife and I love Morecambe and Wise but my sons, who are nine and 14, watch them on DVD and think they are brilliant’.

“That tells you that the kind of humour Eric and Ern produced was timeless.”

Angela has teamed up with the Maltesers Bunny to front the new Meditation series aimed at soothing away stress through the healing properties of chocolate.

She is narrating a series of Zen-style Easter baking videos following research showing Brits are seeking much-needed rest and relaxation after two years of living with Covid.

Angela adds: “Looking at a video like that is like watching More-cambe and Wise.

“All of us need something every day that’ll put a smile on our face.”

The star is fortunate to have colleagues who keep her entertained including Danny Dyer. She voices questions on his show The Wall.

The actor is quitting EastEnders this year after nine years playing Mick Carter and Angela hopes the move will give people the chance to see more of his personality.

She says: “Danny has reached a ­decision on what he wants and he’s ­absolutely brilliant on The Wall.

“People probably enjoy seeing Danny rather than the character. He’s such a kind person.”

Angela isn’t on social media but ­enjoys meeting her fans in the flesh.

She adds: “In Euston station someone came up to me the other day and asked for a selfie, which I don’t mind.

“I don’t do social media – it’s nice to have face-to-face contact.

“The people in my life, I see them, speak to them on the phone and write letters and email.

“I’m not being a dinosaur as I have a computer.

“But look at the people who have come off social media as it’s so toxic.”

Busy Angela, who makes about 70 television programmes a year including Rip Off Britain and The One Show, has no plans to slow down. She says: “The day I get a dog, you’ll know I’m going to retire.

“I love animals but it’s not fair to have one as a companion with my lifestyle now.

“I’m always putting up ideas to the BBC and I love the job I do because it allows me to communicate with millions of people.”

● For more information on the Maltesers Meditation ser-ies and to watch the full series, visit maltesers.co.uk.

Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk