Inside Strictly star Angela Rippon's heartbreaking 'secret' divorce

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Strictly Come Dancing's Angela Rippon stunned the audience tonight when she effortlessly kicked her leg into a stand split at the age of 78 during her first ever performance on the BBC show.As the show's oldest ever contestant, the television presenter proved she is just as capable as she was almost 50 years ago during her iconic appearance in Morecambe and Wise's 1976 Christmas episode.In the memorable scene from the comedy duo's festive special, Angela appeared from behind her news desk with a stunning high kick before breaking into an impressive dance routine.

While the BBC newsreader, who is partnered with 28-year-old dancer Kai Widdrington, has plenty of glamorous and joyous stories to tell, she has also faced immense heartbreak and tragic loss in her life, the Mirror reports.Angela had become a beloved household name by the late 80s having presented and hosted everything from BBC News, the Eurovision Song Contest, Prince Charles and Princess Diana's wedding coverage to various game shows.

However, behind the scenes, things were not going as well as they seemed. The presenter separated from her childhood sweetheart, Christopher Dare in 1989 in a breakup that was so painful, she chose to keep it a secret.The couple wed in 1967, just one year after Angela's career started, at the age of 22.

She allegedly met Christopher at a YMCA dance and lived out their married life in a picturesque cottage on the edge of the moorlands at Dartmoor.