Did Zoe Ball waltz off Radio 2 for a top job on Strictly? It’s the last thing she needs, say friends

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Zoe Ball’s new home is right near the beautiful Hove seafront, so she likely falls asleep to the sound of the waves.

Living in the East Sussex seaside town is a dream come true for her. She loves spending time there with her children, Woody, 25, and Nelly, 15, and enjoys being seen as just one of the locals.

She’s moved back near her father, who is also her ex-husband, Norman Cook – better known as Fat Boy Slim. They’ve stayed close, and he’s a big source of support for her.

Friends say the actress is thriving in her new life, which she’s carefully built after selling her £2 million house in Ditchling, a town about ten miles away, last year.

She surprised everyone this weekend by announcing she’s leaving her Radio 2 Saturday lunchtime show after only seven months. This decision isn’t related to rumors that she might be replacing Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly on Strictly Come Dancing when they leave the show.

Zoe left her role hosting the Radio 2 Breakfast show in November 2024. She had previously taken time off last year to spend more time with her family, and before that, she hosted the Saturday lunchtime show starting in May.

Her announcement on Saturday’s show – that she was stepping down and Emma Willis from The Voice would be taking over – quickly led to speculation she was in line for the main presenting role on BBC1’s biggest show, prompting bookmakers to stop taking bets on who would replace her.

People close to Zoe, who is 55, say she likely doesn’t need the Strictly job right now.

Zoe once lived a glamorous life by the sea, enjoying all the benefits of being famous. Now, however, that life has become her biggest fear.

I really don’t understand her motivation. Zoe enjoys her life in Hove and wants to slow down, focusing on her kids, not take on more work.

Oh my gosh, can you imagine Zoe doing Strictly again? The BBC would be thrilled, she’s amazing and everyone here loves her! Honestly, though, I just don’t get why she’d put herself through all that! All that travelling to Elstree every weekend for months, and becoming the most famous face on TV again… it’s a lot! But it makes total sense, really. She was so good back in 2005, she came third with Ian Waite, and they were incredible together. She’s a natural! I’d lose it if she signed up!

In 2011, six years after first appearing on the show, she began hosting the spin-off program It Takes Two, taking over from Claudia Winkleman. She continued in this role for ten years.

She also filled in for Claudia for one weekend during the 2014 season. The search for a new host of Strictly will really get underway after Saturday’s final, where George Clarke, Karen Carney, and Amber Davies will compete for the championship, following Balvinder Sopal’s elimination last night.

The EastEnders actress had survived five dance-offs, but the judges chose to save Amber.

Oh my gosh, I can’t believe this Saturday is it! Tess and Claudia, my absolute favorites, are leaving Strictly after eleven amazing years! I’m totally heartbroken, but I’m also so excited to watch their final show. They’re planning a huge send-off with all the best moments, and they’re even including clips of the legendary Bruce Forsyth! I’m going to need a whole box of tissues, honestly. It’s the end of an era!

Viewers don’t realize how much effort it takes to make Strictly each year, but Zoe definitely does.

It’s a very well-paying job – Tess and Claudia each make around £350,000 for the four-month season. However, it requires a big commitment. According to a source on Strictly, they start rehearsals very early on Fridays and often don’t finish until late at night.

Saturdays are really tough, honestly exhausting. It’s a repeat of the week, but with a live audience. They usually don’t finish at the studio until almost midnight, and Sundays are completely ruined as a result.

It appears fantastic from the outside, but it takes over your life. You have to be truly dedicated to succeed, and Zoe doesn’t seem ready for that commitment at the moment.

Even so, Zoe is participating alongside other celebrities like Bradley Walsh, Holly Willoughby, Alan Carr (who won The Traitors), and Alex Jones from The One Show.

According to a BBC source, discussions are currently happening. While each executive naturally has their preferred candidates, a final decision hasn’t been made yet.

Zoe has faced several heartbreaking losses recently, including the death of her mother, Julia Peckham, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in April 2024.

And in 2017, she was distraught when her boyfriend Billy Yates took his own life.

Since then, say Zoe’s friends, she has learned what matters – and that isn’t fame and fortune.

According to a source, Zoe is now leaning towards letting someone else take the job – someone who is more enthusiastic about it. While she was interested in ‘The Glitter Ball’ back in 2005, she’s no longer motivated by it and is now seeking a more peaceful lifestyle.

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2025-12-15 03:50