BBC viewers are awaiting another series of long-running consumer show Rip Off Britain and it’s now been reported that Angela Rippon will be absent from the show once again
BBC star Angela Rippon will reportedly be absent from another series of a long-running show that they had fronted for more than a decade. They are said to be taking an extended break, but it has been teased that they could return in the future.
Angela, 80, was an original co-host on Rip Off Britain when it launched in 2009. She’s primarily presented the show, which provides advice to consumers on various topics, alongside Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville.
Last year, it was announced that Angela would be stepping down from the role. Former BBC Breakfast host Louise Minchin replaced her in the presenting line-up, with her debut beside Gloria and Julia having aired earlier this year.
It’s now been reported that Angela will be absent once again from the upcoming eighteenth series. Louise, who joined the show in its sixteenth series and then returned for the seventeenth, is said to be taking her place in the line-up.
The Daily Mail reports that Angela is on a break from Rip Off Britain, having previously decided to step back to pursue other projects. A source, however, told the outlet that the door is being “kept open” for her potential return, though.
The source said that she is focusing on her Let’s Dance campaign, which she launched after competing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023. They said: “Angela won’t be coming back for the next series as she extends her sabbatical to focus on her initiative to get people dancing across the country in a bid to improve the population’s health and wellbeing.”
They added that Angela is still part of the Rip Off Britain “family” though. They said: “She is very much still part of the Rip Off Britain family and the door is being kept open by BBC bosses for a return later down the line – and Angela is adamant she will be returning when her schedule allows.”
The source continued: “The programme is filmed in blocks with a mix of studio and solo scenes on location which makes the shooting schedule more complex as producers juggle each star’s personal schedules.” They added that Louise is set to return in the vacancy left by Angela after being “a hit with viewers”.
Louise had shared her excitement about joining the long-running show when her involvement was announced in December last year. She said in a statement released at the time that she was “delighted” to be joining the BBC One show.
She said: “I’m delighted to be joining the incredible team at Rip Off Britain. I’ve always admired the show for really making a difference, for shining a spotlight on the issues that matter most to people and empowering viewers with the knowledge to tackle everyday challenges and stand up for their rights.
“From uncovering scams to giving audiences the advice they need to safeguard their money, we’ll do our best to promote the stories that expose the latest consumer issues and help to make a real difference. It’s going to be an exciting series!”
At the time, commissioning editor for daytime, Rachel Platt, said about the new presenter: “Louise is a great addition to the Rip Off Britain team. She brings both the journalistic rigour needed to hold organisations to account and the warmth and empathy to get to the heart of real stories.”
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