Strictly Come Dancing viewers have said “it’s time to go” for one contestant after their performance on Blackpool Tower's bouncy ballroom floor.
Presenter Angela Rippon and her professional dancing partner Kai Widdrington performed an American Smooth to ‘Tea for Two’ by Ella Fitzgerald as the second couple of the night.
The 79-year-old hosted Strictly’s predecessor Come Dancing from Blackpool which ended in 1998.
She previously told the PA news agency that her best memories were seeing routines by “fabulous young dancers” when she was hosting the show.
Kai said neither of them had danced there during the Strictly competition so it would be a new experience.
He revealed that the pair had been “manifesting” returning to the venue before revealing what he told Angela: “I said ‘the stars are aligning here as you presented Come Dancing here. I used to dance here as a little kid’.”
He added: “You have the music there, the live music, you have the setting of the amazing chemistry of the whole – the roof and everything is just magical and it doesn’t feel real.
“I think the word is you feel very honoured to get to dance in that (ballroom).”
Judge Craig Revel Horwood said Angela's dance tonight could have been danced a little bit “smoother” but she created a “beautiful story and magnificent lines.”
Meanwhile, head judge Shirley Ballas said the dance was “nostalgic” for her and it was “so beautiful."
The “Rumba queen” told Angela that she should be “proud of herself” for the whole performance.
Strictly fans have their say after Angela Rippon's American Smooth at Blackpool
But fans of the show have had their say after Angela’s dance routine tonight.
Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, one viewer said: “It's time to go #Strictly taxi for Rippon.”
“Rippon needs to go,” and “This should be it for this contestant #Strictly,” wrote two others.
Another added: “Angela's time is sadly up.”
Also agreeing, this tweet said: “A few mistakes there. It should really be Angela’s last hurrah and a fitting way to go #strictly.”
This account posted: “That was a good performance by Angela Rippon...but when is she going to do a fast dance, like a samba? They can't give her slow routines forever. #Strictly”
However, showing their support for Angela, this person commented: “Lovely, stylish, old school American Smooth. The lift transitions weren’t as smooth as they could be, but at 79 yrs old, Angela remains an inspiration.”
“I am so glad Angela made it to Blackpool for all the nostalgic reasons. What an icon! I hope she loved it. Was very pretty but a few wee hesitations,” tweeted a user.
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