30 January 2025
We last interviewed Angela in issue 476 of Dance magazine in 2016, after more than five million viewers watched the BBC’s How to Stay Young, which she hosted alongside Dr Chris van Tulleken. At the time, Angela was 71 and revealed scientific evidence suggesting that dance is one of the best ways to stay fit in later years.
Since then, at 79, she participated in the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2023, which sparked her idea for Let’s Dance!. Now, at 80, she's once again inspiring the nation to dance through Let’s Dance!
What are your hopes for the Let’s Dance! campaign, both now and in the future?
My ambition is to get the nation dancing. Most people love watching dance as an entertainment, either in the theatre or on television. But dance has proved to be one of the finest forms of exercise for mind and body regardless of age or experience. Because it exercises every part of your body from head to toe, and you also have to use your brain to remember the steps.
Also, unlike other forms of exercise – it’s fun. You laugh, you smile, you release endorphins that make you feel good. And you make friends in a way you might never do just running or going to the gym. You will never be lonely or isolated if you go to a dance class.
So however you look at it, dance ticks every box to get you fit, strong, well balanced and healthy, throughout your life. Do you have a message for our ISTD members who are sharing their passion for dance with their students daily? Dance teachers are brilliant role models for all students – again regardless of age. You can share and pass on your expertise and knowledge.
Help your students to grow and express themselves. Become mentors and friends. And most importantly share your passion and joy for dance.
"Dance has proved to be one of the finest forms of exercise for mind and body regardless of age or experience"
How has your personal experience of the benefits of dance motivated you to spearhead the Let’s Dance! campaign?
I have been involved with dance in one way or another since I was about five years old and was sent to a dance class to sort out my knock knees. I learnt tap, modern and ballet at a dance school in Plymouth. Going to class every Saturday morning until I was 17.
I still go to a Silver Swans ballet class whenever I can to keep my core strength, balance, and flexibility. It’s my way of investing in my wellness pension pot. So that as I pass my 80th birthday I’m still flexible, strong, balanced and loving to dance.
I just wish that everyone can experience the way that dance can change your life. Keep you fit and well, and ensure that as you grow older, you maintain that core strength, and most importantly, the balance that will save you from having a serious fall. Broken bones from falls put more people over 60 into hospital than any accident or illness. And sadly, the risk or anxiety of having another fall can rob many older people of their independence. So, dance for fun, for good balance and a healthy old age.
"I found so many reports from medical and scientific researchers, all concluding that dance is one of the best all round exercises for mind and body, for any age and any level of experience and fitness."
Do you have a favourite dance teacher who really inspired and helped you?
My very first teacher was Miss Valerie Lamb at the Geraldine Lamb School of Dance in Plymouth. She gave me the confidence to be myself, and love to dance.
More recently my dear friend Sue Hadley of the Suella School in Torquay, Devon has been a true inspiration. In spite of a serious stroke some years ago, that has left her mostly confined to a wheelchair, she still teaches from the chair. She has grace, body tone, and a lifelong passion for dance that she passes on to and shares with her students.
Finally, my Strictly partner Kai Widdrington is a great dancer and terrific teacher. He challenged me, coaxed and coached me. He helped me discover that I could do things I had no idea I could do (who knew I could do the double splits that we did in the rumba – I certainly didn’t) and made my Strictly experience one of the most enjoyable things I have ever done on television.
What is your opinion of the motivational benefits of taking dance examinations?
As a tap and ballet student I took all my exams up to Intermediate level. I found the challenge and discipline of taking exams, at times a bit stressful, but always rewarding. I think it made me realise, even as a young person, that you gain in confidence, and self-awareness, as you feel yourself grow and get better at something that is important to you.
I knew I was never going to be good enough to become a professional dancer. But the experience of preparing for exams, learning new skills and working to perfect them, combined with the discipline of hard work and commitment, was a good life lesson that prepared me for the challenges of working and surviving in my career.
"I just wish that everyone can experience the way that dance can change your life."
Can you tell us more about the scientific evidence that clearly demonstrates the physical and mental health benefits of dance?
During the making of the television series I did with Chris van Tulleken, How to Stay Young, I went to Germany where one of the universities did an evaluated test pitting dancers over 60 against people over 60 exercising in a gym. And the dancers came out on top after six months as being stronger, fitter and more supple, in every scientific and medical test they were put through.
When I began researching material to back up my Let’s Dance! project, I found so many reports from medical and scientific researchers, all concluding that dance is one of the best all round exercises for mind and body, for any age and any level of experience and fitness. It ticks all the boxes. I have some 15 reports on my desk all outlining the incredible benefits of dance in maintaining and improving health and fitness.
So yes, there is a ton of evidence-based material to back up our goal to help people take control of their health and wellness by dancing. Talk to the people who run Parkinson’s UK and they will tell you that dance has a “miraculous” effect on people with Parkinson’s as it helps them to control their uncontrollable movements. Classes held for people with dementia, produce remarkable results in those who have become withdrawn, or silent. They react to the music with genuine joy and self-expression. The Chelsea and Westminster hospital take dance into ICU wards to encourage movement in those who are seriously ill and provide dance classes for outpatients to help with recovery.
