Veteran broadcaster Angela Rippon has revealed the horrifying details of not one—but two violent muggings she suffered in London, describing how she was kicked in the head and threatened with broken fingers as thieves demanded her jewellery.
The 81-year-old TV icon opened up about the traumatic incidents, which took place between 2000 and 2001, admitting she feared for her life and ultimately surrendered her belongings to avoid further harm.
Speaking on The Vanessa Feltz Show, Angela recalled how one attack left her curled up on a public pavement, hoping passersby would step in to help. Instead, she said the reality was far more chilling.
She explained that she had no chance to fight back during the first mugging, adding that she instinctively curled into a foetal position on the ground, believing the public setting would offer some protection. But the situation escalated when one of the attackers kicked her in the head, forcing her to make a split-second decision to let go of her handbag, realising that risking serious injury simply wasn’t worth it.
Despite the ordeal, Angela said she even attempted to chase the thieves afterward, hoping someone might intervene. But, as she put it, they were like “young gazelles,” and in heels, she stood no chance.
The second attack proved even more terrifying.
Angela revealed that two men confronted her again, with one grabbing her by the throat while threatening to break her fingers if she refused to hand over her rings. Faced with the brutal reality of the situation, she chose to comply.
Reflecting on the moment, she admitted there comes a point where survival outweighs material possessions. She said that when you’re confronted like that, you have to accept that they are just objects—and you never know whether the attacker might be carrying a weapon.
While she lost several valuable items, including a watch and diamond earrings, Angela confessed that the most painful loss was a sentimental ring given to her by her aunt on her 21st birthday. Despite its low monetary value, it carried deep emotional significance, and she admitted that losing it affected her more than anything else.
The presenter also expressed concern about public reactions to such incidents, noting that people today may be more inclined to film rather than help—though she acknowledged that fear likely plays a role.
Looking back on her second mugging near her west London home, Angela described it as far more violent and seemingly premeditated. She recalled how the attackers forcibly ripped out her diamond stud earrings and tore her watch from her wrist, leaving her shaken and in pain.
The shocking revelations come as Angela—who rose to fame in the 1970s and later became a beloved figure on shows like Top Gear, Come Dancing and Antiques Roadshow—continues to speak candidly about both her past and the changing landscape of television.
In recent comments, she also criticised what she described as the rise of “wokeism” in modern TV, reflecting nostalgically on an era when audiences shared the same viewing experiences and cultural moments.
