Strictly star Angela Scanlon breaks her silence after being reported to police for “recklessly” hanging out of a moving car
STRICTLY Come Dancing star Angela Scanlon has broken her silence after she was filmed hanging out of a moving car.
The 39-year-old One Show presenter was reported to police for her “reckless” behavior and was attacked by road safety campaigners for her antics near the BBC Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire on Monday night.
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The Irish presenter has now broken her silence and apologized to The Sun: “I made absolutely the wrong decision in making this video. I came home from rehearsals and was giddy with excitement.
“That’s not an excuse because what I did was stupid and I’m sorry for letting my excitement get the better of me.”
In the video, Angela can be seen striking a pose and performing dance moves through the car’s rear window as it speeds down a residential street while the classic hip-hop track “Rapper’s Delight” by Sugarhill Gang plays.
She initially posted the clip to her Instagram account, but quickly removed it after backlash online.
The footage also shows her sticking her head out the window and appearing to wear a face mask as she waves to a passing cyclist.
The star, who also hosts BBC 2 makeover show Your Home Made Perfect, does not appear to be wearing a seatbelt in the video.
Nicholas Lyes, director of policy at road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, told The Sun: “Danging any part of your body out the window of a moving car is incredibly dangerous and carries the risk of serious injury or death.”
“To make matters worse, in this case it appears that a seatbelt was not worn, which poses a risk of the passenger being thrown from the vehicle when braking.”
A spokesman for the Brake charity said: “Wearing a seatbelt is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce the risk of death or injury in a road accident.”
“This is also required by law in the UK.
“It is important that every person in a position of influence acts responsibly when driving on our roads so that those who look up to them can follow their example.”
“We are relieved that no one was injured or killed in this case.”
A member of the public who reported the star to Hertfordshire Police said: “I wanted Angela to lift the Strictly glitter ball until I watched this video.”
“No seatbelt, no concern for her safety or other road users, it was reckless.
“What would have happened if a motorcyclist or cyclist had driven past?”
“If it were another citizen, he would face a heavy fine.
“I’m tired of celebrities thinking they can behave however they want. It was a stupid trick.”
The complaint has been referred to Hertfordshire Police’s Cameras, Tickets and Collisions Unit and the Digital Evidence Team is investigating the footage.
According to sources, Angela was traveling between studios in a BBC van to film Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two with her dance partner Carlos Gu.
Oddly enough, this isn’t the first time Angela has almost fallen out of a moving car.
She once admitted that she tried to jump out of a moving car after suffering a panic attack while on vacation in France in 2014.
During the attack, she imagined that the roof of the vehicle she was riding in lowered, the car became very small, and she could not breathe.
She revealed: “For me it’s a really very visceral feeling in my stomach, a pressure on my chest, a breathlessness – it’s quite physical.”
“I think it was the sudden stop and my discomfort with it.
“Holidays have this weird trigger for me because you check out.”
The Irish star, who is originally from County Meath, was announced in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up on Radio 2’s Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, hosted by Gaby Roslin.
Angela joked that she was terrible at keeping secrets.
She said: “I’ve only told 1,700 of my closest friends,” adding: “I’m scared, I’m excited and I have so many questions. Are they going to tan me?”
“How itchy are sequins?! Are there also flesh-colored sports bras? Well – there’s only one way to find out, right?”
Angela, who lives in London, has been married to Roy Horgan since 2014 and has two daughters.
The BBC declined to comment.
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