Furious Strictly fans claim judges overmarked show star – as second live show sparks favouritism row
FURIOUS Strictly Come Dancing fans have blasted show judges for “over-marking” one hugely-popular star.
BBC veteran Angela Rippon, 78, won the hearts of the Strictly loyals with her eye-watering leg raise during her first routine with professional Kai Widdrington, 28.
On Saturday’s live episode, she also impressed with an elegant Foxtrot to Frank Sinatra classic, You Make Me Feel So Young.
The routine, which saw Angela sashaying around in a white blouse and blue patterned skirt, was hailed “absolutely divine” by Strictly’s head judge Shirley Ballas.
She told the star: “Absolutely divine. Of the whole evening, your frame is the best.
“You show dance has no age limit.”
Angela is Strictly’s oldest-ever competitor at the age of 78.
Kai then sweetly added: “It is my honour to dance with you. You are a wonderful woman.”
The duo scored a whopping 35 out of 40 – in what is only week two of the competition – and some felt she had been over-marked.
One fan was quick to take to X, formerly known as Twitter, to brand the star: “Overmarked Angela.”
Another put: “I like Angela Rippon but she will be overmarked for weeks, I can see it happen.”
A third added: “Angela S is going to be consistently undermarked and Angela R overmarked…”
One then concluded: “Don’t get the hype for #AngelaRippon on
@bbcstrictly.”
Recently, The Sun exclusively revealed Angela’s game plan.
Angela, who turns 79 next month, told us: “I look at the younger people and I know I’m not as fit or strong, that’s just a medical fact.
“But I play tennis, I go to Pilates and ballet classes, so I’m pretty fit for someone of my age.
“I’ve told my pro partner, Kai, there are things I can do and things I can’t. I just want to do everything properly. I’ve told him, ‘Challenge me’.”
Meanwhile, tipping the other end of the Strictly scale, Les Dennis was sent packing for his sailor-inspired Samba this weekend.