Angela Rippon has revealed that her famous high kick on Strictly Come Dancing was a risky move that could’ve landed the BBC in hot water.

In a recent chat with Head Costume Designer for the show, Vicky Gill, the pair revealed to Express.co.uk that pulling off the 80-year-old’s viral dance move hinged on a very important wardrobe rule, which must be adhered to.

No knicker flashing is allowed on the pre-watershed on the hit ballroom show. “All of the garment corsets are swimsuit based, and built on the body,” explained Vicky.

“But with some clothes on the high street now, the knicker line will be quite brief so you don’t get a lot of coverage.”

However, sometimes it’s unavoidable and so big underwear, which looks like a leotard can be briefly shown.

Angela Rippon’s famous Strictly high kick almost went very wrong (Image: BBC)

“On Strictly, you need big pants because if someone is doing a cartwheel, or Angela when she did her high kick, which I wanted to high five her for. We need to be very careful with the camera shots.”

Angela added: “Yes, it’s a rule that you mustn’t show the knickers so you need to be sewn in so when your skirt flies up when you lift your leg, it doesn’t fly up too far.”

Luckily, when Angela performed her famous high kick, the costume held its own and she was able to preserve her dignity in the show-stopping routine.

In 2023 the former newsreader, who is partnered up with Kai Widdrington, performed to Shirley Bassey’s Get the Party Started on Saturday evening.

Angela wore a short silver tasselled dress and ended her uptempo routine with a high kick which even left the judging panel speechless.

Following her performance, viewers flocked to social media to comment on her incredible moves. One gushed: “Angela Rippon has fabulous legs… I’m no expert but that looked good to me, brilliant from Angela #Strictly.”

Another fan wrote: “Angela Rippon just tore the roof off #Strictly and I’m struggling to get off the sofa to reach the biscuits.”

The judges, who were also blown away, all scored Angela sevens, pushing her to the top of the leader board.

She made it all the way to week nine of the series before she and Kai left the show during the Blackpool special.