TV and radio personality Zoe Ball has revealed her enthusiasm for potentially hosting the popular BBC show Strictly Come Dancing. The 55-year-old presenter has emerged as a frontrunner for one of the two vacant presenting roles following the recent departures of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly after the last series concluded. While speaking to the Sunday Times, she stated, “Obviously there’s part of me that would love to do it. But I will still be watching, whoever hosts it.”
Zoe Ball is no stranger to the Strictly franchise. She has a decorated history with the show, having hosted its sister programme, It Takes Two, for ten series from 2011 to 2020. Additionally, she competed as a contestant in the third series in 2005, finishing in third place alongside her professional partner Ian Waite. In 2014, she temporarily filled in as the main host for the show, taking over while Winkleman was on leave to care for a child.
Reflecting on the ongoing speculation surrounding the hosting role, Ball commented, “This is the hilarious thing, it’s all anyone talks to me about.” She expressed her fondness for Winkleman and Daly, stating, “At the moment I am in mourning for Tess and Claud because I love those girls. I think everyone’s name is being thrown into the mix.”
Zoe reminisced about her experiences on the show, saying, “I love that show. I loved performing on it with Ian Waite, who is one of my best buddies.” She praised the live nature of the programme, highlighting its unique challenges: “It’s so joyful, and it’s live telly, which is another thing that people don’t give the girls enough credit for. That show is a beast. Whoever gets to do it has a tough act to follow.”
Despite the buzz, Zoe clarified that she has not engaged in discussions with the BBC regarding the role, and neither have her friends. She did express a preference for either Rylan Clark or Vernon Kay to join her as co-host.
Zoe Ball made history as the first woman to host the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show solo when her co-host Kevin Greening departed in 1998. Her impressive presenting portfolio includes stints on Top Of The Pops, from 1996 to 1998, Live And Kicking, from 1996 to 1999, and SMart, from 1994 to 1996.
The previous series of Strictly Come Dancing was won by former England Lionesses footballer Karen Carney. As the conversation around the new hosting roles develops, many fans are eager to see who will take the reins of this beloved programme.
