Angela Rippon CBE looks back over career during Wirral visit

The 79-year-old former BBC newsreader, author and contestant on last year’s Strictly Come Dancing was guest of honour at a ribbon-cutting event at the new Coronation Lodge in West Kirby on Wednesday.

This new development is the 200th built and operated by Churchill Living, featuring a collection of one and two-bedroom apartments designed exclusively for the over 60s to enjoy fully independent living with the safety.

Angela Rippon CBE cuts the ribbon at official opening of Coronation Lodge in West Kirby on Wednesday (September 11) (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) Plymouth-born Angela took questions from the audience of potential buyers of flats and company representatives on 58 years in broadcasting during Wednesday’s event.

Following the talk, Angela told the Globe: “It was great to look back over my 58 years in telly during my visit to West Kirby. I've filmed on Merseyside lots of times and visited Wirral many times."

Known to millions for her appearance on the Morecambe & Wise Christmas Show in 1976, Angela began her career in her hometown, working for BBC Plymouth and Westward Television. She joined BBC National News in 1973, becoming the station’s first woman journalist newsreader.

Angela Rippon CBE talks to audience at official opening of Coronation Lodge in West Kirby on Wednesday (September 11) (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) Other presenting credits include the first two series of Top Gear and Come Dancing, The One Show, Rip Off Britain and HealthCheck UK Live on BBC One.

She also hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 1977 and was a co-presenter on BBC game show The Wall.

In the 1990s, Angela moved to radio, presenting daily news programmes for LBC Newstalk between 1990 and 1994, and appeared on Channel Four's Big Breakfast as a stand-in newsreader.

Angela Rippon CBE during official opening of Coronation Lodge in West Kirby on Wednesday (September 11) (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) Angela's work was recognised by the Royal Television Society who entered her into their Hall of Fame in 1996. She was awarded an OBE in 2004 for services to Broadcasting, Charity and the Arts and made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to dementia care.

She presented the BBC broadcast of the United Kingdom Ballroom Championships at the Bournemouth International Centre in 1991.

Angela Rippon CBE talks to the audience during official opening of Coronation Lodge in West Kirby on Wednesday (September 11) (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) Looking back over her career, Angela admitted she never imagined it would go on to span so many years, adding: "When I started out I didn't have a clue how long it would last, but I also thought that if I was no good at it I'm now qualified as a photojournalist and, basically, television is the highest form of photojournalism, because I direct as well as produce and present.

"There are people I have worked with and for over the years who have become and remained friends, and that's lovely."

Left to right: Wirral Globe's chief reporter Craig Manning with Angela Rippon CBE during the broadcasting legend's visit to Wirral on Wednesday (September 11) (Image: Ian Payne) Looking to the future, and with a milestone birthday imminent, there are no plans to retire. Angela explained: "I'm going to be 80 in four weeks time and, after 58 years in television, I asked myself recently 'will I make it 60 years in the business? I don't know so decided 'have a party now'.

"I'll still be working next year, so will have properly have one for then. If I get to 60 years in television that will be a real milestone.

"I still take my camera wherever I go, taking pictures on my mobile phone like everyone does; but when I go somewhere on a trip, I take the gear so I can take proper pictures.

"So, maybe when I do retire, whenever that is, I'll just pick up the camera and my passport, get on a plane and do what I should have done 58 years ago - take pictures and travel the world."