Latest news with #RipOffBritain
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'I don't know if she voted...' Queen Camilla enjoyed watching Angela Rippon on Strictly
Queen Camilla loved watching on Angela Rippon on Strictly Come Dancing. Former BBC News journalist Angela, 80, made history by becoming the oldest celebrity to take part in the BBC One Latin and ballroom dancing show in 2023, and Angela's appearance with her 29-year-old professional dance partner Kai Widdrington got the royal seal of approval. Angela - who finished in eighth place on Strictly Come Dancing - told the new issue of Woman's Weekly magazine: "Queen Camilla said we were cool, but I don't know if she voted." The esteemed broadcaster shot to fame in 1975 when she got a permanent newsreader job on the BBC Nine O'Clock News, after covering for the Richard Baker in February of that year. She said: "I could never have imagined that I was entering a vintage period in my career, which quickly led to me becoming a household name. "As far as I was concerned, I was just filling in." Angela - who was named Newsreader of the Year in 1976, 1977 and 1978 - left BBC News in 1981 and had a very brief stint as a presenter on TV-am's Good Morning Britain news programme in 1983. Her varied seven-decade spanning career has also seen her work on BBC Radio 2, be a stand-in newsreader on Channel 4's The Big Breakfast, host a series of Sun, Sea and Bargain Spotting for BBC Two and become a presenter on Cash in the Attic. Rippon is certain she would not be enjoying a "long and rewarding career" if it was not for the BBC giving her a chance in 1975. She admitted: "It was all such a long time ago now. Yet without it, I might still not be enjoying such a long and rewarding career. "It's really flattering that people took me to their hearts all those years ago - and they've never forgotten how my career started." Angela turns 81 on October 12, and she has no plans of retiring. The TV presenter - who spent 15 years fronting the factual BBC One consumer affairs show Rip Off Britain, with the 77-year-old journalist Julia Somerville and the 85-year-old Loose Women panellist Gloria Hunniford - said: "I'm busy, busy, busy - but it beats the alternative. "People don't say to me, 'When are you going to retire?' But why would I stop doing something I love and enjoy while people are still asking me to do it?" Last year, Angela was replaced on Rip Off Britain in 2024 by 56-year-old ex-BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin.
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Our town is a vile dust bowl making us ILL after months of relentless roadworks forced us to sell up
LOCALS in a market town are furious as roadworks continue to cause chaos nearly ten years on from when the work first started. The work on a residential development in Stafford began in 2016 after plans were submitted for 475 new homes. 9 9 9 While the houses have since been completed, the project is still far from finished as road improvement plans remain underway. These plans include a new dual-carriageway, re-configuring a roundabout and installing several new sets of traffic lights. However, beyond the works causing regular congestion on the A513, they have also left residents outraged. One angry local, Jade, said: 'It is just vile with all the dust and dirt. 'Now they have started work on the roundabout just by our place and there is digging, banging, and lorries reversing all through the night.' Jade went on to explain that she is a mother of four and her son has autism so is struggling with the noise. She added: 'My little boy has autism and won't sleep because of the noise. 'Everyone is fed up with the temporary lights and there being no safe spaces for kids to cross an A-road. "It is also making me ill." Houses in this development cost a premium of up to £500,000, which only resulted in the properties being featured on an episode of Rip off Britain. Teacher and mum-of-six, Rachel Kennedy moved to the development in October 2020. After experiencing flooding both in her garden and also in the nearby playground, she has described the roadworks as an 'added pain.' She explained that her mile long route to school now takes up to 30 minutes. Rachel said: 'I have walked it but with four children under seven it is difficult.' She also described the roundabout built at the top of her road as "unnecessary." Stafford Borough Council announced the works in February 2023, saying they would last 12 months. However, 28 months on there is still no end in sight for the disgruntled residents. Anton and his wife Tash, both 32, share similar frustrations to their neighbours. The pair, who own an electrical business, said: 'Everything about the estate is a pain.' Anton added: 'This was supposed to be a cul-de-sac but earlier this year they had to open it up as it was the only access point to the estate and we couldn't get onto our drive because of the queuing cars. 9 9 9 'People were driving into the cones in frustration.' In reference to the amount of dust the roadworks have caused, he added: 'The only people happy around here are the window cleaners.' Another fed-up local, Paula, 28, said: 'We moved in four years ago and no-one told us there would be a building site opposite with great piles of rubble. 'We will wash our cars and overnight they collect dust.' Paula, who works as a technical trainer, was promised green space upon moving to the development, however is still yet to see an end to the road works. She said: 'I understand the road works are necessary and will make things better but the finish date has been moved three times already.' Mother of four and salon owner, Bailey Wilkin, explained that it has now reached a point where some of her neighbours are trying to sell up. She said: 'People are selling up but with all these works going on the houses are devalued.' Another mum, Sophie, 28, added: 'The school runs are really bad. 'They take forever and I am late for work all the time. 'There are so many temporary traffic lights and lots of people suffering road rage. 'It's really unsafe.' A resident from Parkside estate on the other side of the A513, Christine Taylor, 74, said: 'My house could not be closer to the roundabout and they are working nights with diggers going all the time. 'It sets my dogs off barking all the time and now we are getting swarms of blue bottle flies. 'It must be something they've triggered. 'I filled out a form years ago for compensation but I'm quite sure nothing will come of it.' Reportedly, the works include dualling of the A513 Beaconside, the creation of a new signalised junction on the north side of the A513 and the signalisation of Newbold Drive. A Staffordshire County Council spokesperson said: 'As a new administration, we are well aware that the ongoing works at Beaconside being carried out by Taylor Wimpey as part of its Marston Grange development are causing considerable disruption. 'As this scheme is wholly developer-led the county council has minimal influence or control on the works or their progress. 'However we will maintain regular contact with Taylor Wimpey and continue to press them to conclude as quickly as possible. 'All updates on the scheme are provided by Taylor Wimpey.' A Taylor Wimpey representative added: 'We understand the frustrations of the local community whilst we carry out the programme of works for the highway improvement project. 'Whilst these improvements are aimed at reducing journey times, easing congestion and improving safety for residents and road users, we acknowledge that there have been some unexpected delays which have impacted the local community. 'We recognise the need for clearer communication, and would like to apologise for any inconvenience or confusion caused. 'We are committed to keeping disruption to a minimum, and we are working closely with stakeholders to ensure all works are completed by the end of November.' 9 9 9
Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC star 'will be absent from another series of beloved show as replaced named'
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."
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Beloved BBC star to miss ANOTHER series of their hit TV show after 15 years on air
A fan-favourite BBC star will miss another series of her hit daytime TV programme after announcing a break from the show last year. Rip Off Britain is returning to BBC One's schedule for its 18th series as production officially gets underway on the long-running hit. However, MailOnline can exclusively reveal Angela Rippon will not return for the next instalment. It comes after it was announced last year that the 80-year-old veteran broadcaster had decided to step back from the current series to pursue other work commitments, including the launch of her Let's Dance campaign on the back of her Strictly appearance. The show is also co-anchored by Julia Somervile and Gloria Hunniford, with former BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin drafted in to replace Angela on the most recent series. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. A source 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. '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 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. 'Louise Minchin is set to return to the role left vacant by Angela after becoming a hit with viewers.' MailOnline contacted the BBC for comment. Rip Off Britain first aired in 2009 and has a total of 552 episodes produced to date, tackles consumers who have been ripped off. It airs mid-mornings on BBC One and also alerts viewers to watch out for rip-offs that are currently on the market. Angela - who was awarded an OBE in 2004 for her services to broadcasting, charity and the arts - celebrated her 80th birthday with four lavish bashes in October last year. Speaking to the Mail at an afternoon tea party at The Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, she said: 'I actually don't know what it's like to be 80 and I have no intention of finding out. 'I intend to spend however long I've got on this perch growing old disgracefully, because it's a lot more fun.' She was presented with a five-tier pink cake by volunteer organisation the Phoenix Fun Events Team, which featured edible rice paper pictures of her on it.
Scottish Sun
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Morning Live's return date finally revealed after channel shakeup saw it off air for weeks – and there's not long to go
MORNING Live's return date has finally been revealed after BBC bosses pulled the show off air for weeks. The daytime hit- which stars Gethin Jones, Helen Skelton and Michelle Ackerley - typically airs directly after BBC Breakfast wraps up at 9:30am each weekday. 2 Morning Live's return date has been revealed after it was pulled off air Credit: BBC 2 Gethin Jones and his co-stars will be back on air on Tuesday May 6 Credit: BBC However, it was pulled from screens last week as confused viewers were met with episodes of Rip Off Britain. The consumer series helps customers who feel they've been taken advantage of by large and small businesses. Beeb bosses didn't confirm when Morning Live would be back with new episodes, with listings for this week previously saying its slot was "off air". But as episodes of Rip Off Britain continue to air in the show's place in the schedule, its return has now been confirmed. Morning Live will be live from Salford with brand new episodes from Tuesday, May 6 on BBC One and iPlayer. While fans have been left furious at the show's break, the BBC previously confirmed it was planned and has happened before in the past. Last July Morning Live was taken off air for a full month by bosses as the hosts enjoyed their summer holidays. Earlier this year, former Blue Peter star Gethin Jones sent fans into a frenzy after his Instagram post teased an "engagement". The popular BBC presenter shared a beautifully shot video on his social media account, where he appeared to pop the question. However, the final moments of the video revealed it to be a promotional ad for Clogau. Red-faced Gethin Jones is forced to step in as Morning Live interview is halted by technical issues
