Zoe Ball, age 55, has revealed she’s very interested in becoming the host of the popular British TV show, Strictly Come Dancing.
Ever since Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly unexpectedly left the show last fall, this BBC personality has been the frontrunner to replace them.
Rumors really started to fly when Zoe, known for hosting the Strictly Come Dancing companion show It Takes Two until 2021, announced she was leaving her Saturday show on Radio 2, freeing up her weekends to potentially take on a prominent television role.
Zoe has responded to the speculation, saying she hasn’t been offered the role, but would be very interested in taking it if asked.
She admitted she’d really enjoy returning to the show, saying, ‘I absolutely love it.’ She especially enjoyed performing with her close friend, Ian Waite, and described the experience as ‘joyful’.
She admitted taking over from her friends Claudia and Tess would be a huge challenge. She emphasized how difficult it is to present live television, something she feels people often underestimate. The show is demanding, and anyone who takes on the role has a lot to live up to.
Zoe recently told The Sunday Times Style Magazine she’s considering several fantastic co-hosts for Strictly, though Alan Carr and Amanda Holden aren’t interested. She thinks Rylan would be amazing, and also suggested Vernon Kay as a strong contender, noting he hasn’t been discussed as an option.
Zoe is excited about potentially joining Strictly Come Dancing, but she wants to make it clear that her departure from her Saturday show on Radio 2 wasn’t because of it.
Zoe left her weekend radio show after only seven months. This followed her previous departure from a highly sought-after breakfast show position in late 2024.
She shared that one reason she decided to leave radio was the immense grief she felt after her mother, Julia Peckham, passed away in April 2024 following a brief fight with cancer. She described the months after her mother’s death as a deeply difficult and painful time.
After experiencing a loss, she decided to rethink her career and focus more on her relationships with her children, Nelly, who is 16, and Woody, 25.
Honestly, things got incredibly difficult afterwards, and I saw so many people really struggle – it’s often that point where everything starts to fall apart. I had to take a step back and ask myself, ‘What am I even doing with my life? Where is all of this heading?’ It was a real moment of self-reflection, and I think a lot of us need those sometimes.
Zoe wanted to take on more responsibility for raising her youngest child, who is preparing for important exams, as her ex-husband, DJ Fatboy Slim (Norman Cook), continues to work weekends.
She describes her co-parenting relationship with Norman as very fortunate. She explains that they’ve always been able to support each other, saying she’s been able to accommodate his plans and be there when he needs her.
I need to be here for the next six months. Being a working parent is wonderful at times, but it can also be incredibly chaotic and stressful.
According to a recent report in the Daily Mail, BBC executives are considering a list of ten potential candidates to replace the current hosts of Strictly Come Dancing.
Bradley Walsh, Alex Jones, and Alan Carr are among the leading candidates to host the show, according to sources. Producers are reportedly planning chemistry tests where potential hosts will be paired with different co-stars to find the best on-screen pairing.
According to a source, the celebrities will be brought together in a studio and paired up in various combinations to determine which duos have the best chemistry on camera.
Contestants on the show can be paired with partners of the same gender or different genders. Show officials are hoping to create fresh and unique pairings this season.
Although nothing has been officially confirmed, fans are already speculating about who might be cast, with popular suggestions including Bradley Walsh, the host of The Chase.
But last week the presenter appeared to rule himself out.
The actor shared that he enjoys watching Strictly Come Dancing when he has time off from work, but participating in the show would disrupt his usual weekend routine.
Bradley, 65, recently told Radio Times that his weekend routine involves finishing work on Fridays, then relaxing at home with dinner and watching ‘I’m a Celebrity’.
Okay, so Saturdays are my little slice of downtime! I love kicking back and checking the football scores, then treating myself to a pub dinner and a pint. After that, it’s all about the TV – I’m a huge fan of both Strictly Come Dancing and I’m a Celebrity, and I always finish the night by catching Match of the Day on BBC. It’s the perfect way to unwind, honestly!
Okay, so Sundays with him? Forget everything! It’s pure bliss. He actually lets himself sleep in, which is amazing, and then… and then he watches Columbo! Yes, the original 1960s Columbo! It’s like, the perfect start to the day. Then it’s football, of course, but honestly, even that feels better knowing he’s spent the morning with Columbo. And then, just to round things off, some reality TV! It’s the most perfect Sunday routine ever, I swear. I’m so jealous!
He dismissed suggestions he might replace Claudia and Tess, joking that hosting Strictly would completely spoil his weekend.
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2026-01-18 15:49